Football no dey short of drama, but sometimes e dey produce story wey shock even the most experienced fans. One of those stories na the case of Belgian defender Stan Van den Buys, wey enter history books after him mistakenly score three own goals for one single match.
Yes, you hear am well — hat-trick of own goals. Something wey rare like eclipse, and na why the gist still dey circulate years later as one of football’s most unbelievable nights.
The Match Background
Di incident happen for 1995 Belgian First Division match between Germinal Ekeren and Anderlecht. Ekeren, wey be underdog, dey try hold ground against one of di biggest clubs for Belgium.
Stadium pack, fans dey expect competitive fixture. But wetin play out na comedy mixed with tragedy, and na Stan Van den Buys find himself centre of the wahala.
How the Wahala Unfold
The first own goal arrive like accident wey anybody fit make. Cross enter box, Stan try clear, but the ball deflect wrong way, bounce past hin goalkeeper enter net. Fans shock small, but still clap encouragement — own goal dey happen for football.
Few minutes later, wahala double. Corner kick float inside, miscommunication between Stan and keeper make am nod ball into hin own net. Na here tension start high. Fans dey restless, players dey shake head, and commentary dey repeat “not again.”
But the biggest shock come late for the match. As Anderlecht attack continue, ball bounce awkwardly for penalty area. Stan dive try clear under pressure, but instead e redirect the ball perfectly — unfortunately into his own goal for the third time. Hat-trick of own goals complete. Something football world never witness before at that level.
Reactions from Fans, Coach and Media
Fans: Some fans cover face, some dey laugh in disbelief, and some dey vex. Social commentary spread quick, with jokes and sympathy mixing together. Na the kind event wey you no fit forget even if you try.
Coach: The Ekeren coach no even know how to react. For post-match talk, he defend Stan, say mistakes dey part of game, and emphasise say na full team wey lose, no be just one player.
Media: Newspapers across Europe carry the story. Headlines sharp: “Defender Scores Hat-trick — For the Wrong Side,” “Unbelievable Night for Van den Buys.” Till today, football trivia books dey quote am as one of the strangest records for professional football.
The Weight of the Mistakes
- On-field effect: Ekeren no recover, Anderlecht use the goals to dominate and win comfortably.
- Personal effect: Confidence crash for Stan, but he still finish the match professional, no walk out or give up.
- Legacy: Till today, his name dey attached to the phrase “hat-trick of own goals.”
Analysis — Why E Happen
Na combination of factors make the nightmare possible:
- High pressure: Anderlecht attack no gree rest, forcing defenders into panic situations.
- Bad luck: Two of the own goals na pure deflections wey bounce the wrong way.
- Mental state: After first own goal, confidence drop, making him rush decisions.
Own Goals for Football History
Own goals no new for football, but three for one player inside one match dey historic. Even FIFA trivia records mention Stan Van den Buys incident. Other players don score two own goals for one match, but three? Na only Van den Buys carry that “record.” Na why his name still dey pop up anytime football dey discuss strangest moments.
Lessons for Football
- Defensive organisation dey critical under pressure.
- Mental strength dey important — one mistake no suppose lead to more mistakes.
- Clubs need to support players even when history no dey kind to them.
Final Word
Stan Van den Buys fit no be household name like Messi or Ronaldo, but for football trivia, him get one spot wey nobody fit drag with am. Na reminder say football no always dey about glory; sometimes na the mistakes wey last forever.
And so the headline still loud till today: Shey you sabi say Stan Van den Buys knack three own goals for one single match?