Yvan Dibango Joins Samuel Eto’o in Cameroonian Champions League History

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Cameroon defender Yvan Dibango produced a historic individual performance on Wednesday night, becoming only the second Cameroonian player to provide three assists in a single UEFA Champions League match during LASK’s 6-3 defeat to Liverpool in Austria.

Dibango started at left-back for LASK and remained a major attacking outlet despite Liverpool’s dominance. With the hosts trailing heavily, the Cameroonian played a central role in their second-half fightback, providing the final pass for three of LASK’s goals.

His first assist came in the 63rd minute when his square pass found Robert Ljubičić, who turned inside the Liverpool defence before beating Alisson. Dibango then produced an excellent cross from the left in the 74th minute, finding Florian Flecker at the far post for LASK’s second goal.

The Cameroonian delivered another dangerous cross from the left in the 77th minute, allowing Flecker to finish first-time and complete his brace. The sequence gave Dibango three assists in just 14 minutes, highlighting his attacking quality against one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Although Liverpool eventually secured a 6-3 victory, Dibango’s performance earned him a place in Cameroonian Champions League history. His contribution was a rare bright spot for LASK, who showed attacking resilience despite conceding six goals against the English side.

Dibango has now joined Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o in an exclusive record. Eto’o achieved the same feat for Barcelona in a 5-0 Champions League victory over Levski Sofia at Camp Nou on September 12, 2006. The former Indomitable Lions captain assisted Andrés Iniesta, Ludovic Giuly and Ronaldinho, while also scoring Barcelona’s fourth goal.

For Dibango, it was a night of contrasting emotions. LASK suffered defeat, but the Cameroonian defender’s three assists turned the encounter into a memorable personal milestone. Nearly two decades after Eto’o’s achievement, Dibango has written his name alongside one of the greatest players in the history of the Indomitable Lions.