Bafana Bafana defender Aden McCarthy Aden McCarthy was a second half introduction as Sabah FK succumbed to their first Misli Premier League defeat of the season after going down 3-2 to Turan Tovuz on Friday afternoon.
The defeat compounded the log leaders to an end of a five-match unbeaten run in the league for the 2026/27 campaign.
After putting in an impressive shift at the back as Sabah played to a 0-0 stalemate against Qarabağ FK last week Sunday, the Bafana man was surprisingly not included in the starting line-up.
This however proved costly as the visitors fell behind to Henrique’s opener for Tovuz in the 27th minute.
Jô Batista then made it 2-0 in the 30th minute for the healthy lead at the interval.
The Kaizer Chiefs academy product then entered the fray at the start of the second period but could not aid his colleagues avoid a defeat on the road to Tovuz who are in fourth place.
Batista grabbed his brace of the afternoon making it 3-0 in the 67th minute before Joy Lance Mickels got a consolation for the travellers three minutes later.
Xander Severina set up a nervy finish with a strike in the 87th minute to make it 3-2, but the home side held on for the maximum points.
Sabah stays top with 20 points but could be replaced by Qarabağ FK should they come away with a win against Qəbələ FK on Saturday.