Joy-Lance Mickels scores late winner, Mbina also scores to help Sabah FK complete Azerbaijani double

Joy-Lance Mickels’ stoppage time winner completed a spectacular comeback for Sabah FK, who completed a league and cup double in Azerbaijan on Wednesday with a 2-1 Azerbaijan Cup victory over Zira FK.

 

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The Rwanda international curled in a stunning effort from distance to give his team their second consecutive cup triumph, which comes after they clinched the country’s Premier League title with several rounds remaining.

Turkish forward Eren Aydin put Zira ahead inside the opening five minutes but the league champions proceeded to dominate throughout the remainder of the ninety minutes. Despite failing to find a leveler before halftime, all the momentum was on their side after Gabonese forward Patrick Orphé Mbina equalized with an acrobatic finish only moments after coming off the bench.

 

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From that point on, continued dominance from the favorites always made it likely that they were going to find the winning goal and Mickels provided the moment of magic. Given plenty of room to run at an exhausted Zira defense, the recent Rwanda national team debutant had time to line up a perfect curling effort.

Another excellent moment in an outstanding season for Joy-Lance Mickels

The league top scorer by far with 19 goals in 24 matches, Mickels has now added another honor to his outstanding 2025-26 season. With his contract expiring at the end of the current season, the veteran forward will have a decision to make about whether he wants to depart or stay with Sabah for their UEFA Champions League campaign next season.