Nigerian forward Christian Nwachukwu scored as Sabah FC secured a historic place in the UEFA Champions League league phase on Tuesday.
It is the first time Sabah FC have qualified for the UEFA Champions League league phase. The Azerbaijani champions defeated Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5–2 after extra time to progress 6–4 on aggregate, overturning a 2–1 first-leg defeat.
Nwachukwu has featured four times in Sabah’s Champions League campaign. The 20-year-old joined the Azerbaijani club from Sheffield United this month. He previously played for Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv and also featured in Sabah’s qualifying victory over Aarhus.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva took control early in Baku. Igor Zlatanović opened the scoring after 10 minutes.
Sabah needed a response before the break. Nwachukwu provided it in the 38th minute.
The Nigerian forward restored belief for the home side. Sabah then pushed for the aggregate turnaround.
Guy Mizrahi restored Hapoel’s lead in the 61st minute. Umarali Rakhmonaliev levelled the second leg again in the 74th minute.
Sabah still needed another goal to force extra time. Tellur Mutallimov delivered in stoppage time.
The late goal changed the tie completely. Sabah then took control during extra time.
Orphe Mbina put the Azerbaijani champions ahead in the 101st minute. Joy-Lance Mickels completed the comeback in the 115th minute.
The final score read 5–2 to Sabah. Their aggregate victory stood at 6–4.
The result sends Sabah into the Champions League league phase for the first time. It also completes an impressive qualifying run.
Sabah began in the first qualifying round. They eliminated The New Saints 4–1 on aggregate.
They then defeated Finland’s KuPS 3–0 overall. Aarhus followed in the third qualifying round.
Sabah recovered from a 2–1 first-leg defeat against Aarhus. They won the return leg 4–0 to reach the play-offs.
UEFA previously noted that Sabah were chasing their first Champions League league-phase appearance. Qarabağ remain the only Azerbaijani club to have reached the competition proper before Sabah.
Nwachukwu’s goal adds another highlight to his developing European career.
He had already shown his scoring ability in Bulgaria. Now, the young forward has scored on one of Europe’s biggest stages.
His goal helped Sabah complete one of the most dramatic comebacks of the Champions League qualifying campaign.
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