As soon as Slavia chooses a fighter connected to the 36 Lion academy, it is necessary to sharpen up. Footballers from this Nigerian hotbed have left a big mark on Eden.
Academy 36 Lion. A place where players grow for world football. For example, for football club Slavia. In Lagos, Nigeria, Peter Olayinka used to be an example. Not that he would head straight from Africa to Eden. He took it first through clubs in Albania and Northern Cyprus, later Belgian Gent reached out to him, he was a guest in Prague’s Dukla, in the Zulte Waregem team. However, then coach Jindřich Trpišovský scouted him for the Vršovice club.
Isife came from Dukla
It was an expensive splurge. Slavia had not paid 80 million crowns for anyone until that time. But he became a legend in it. 33 goals in 115 games. Goals in the Champions League against Inter Milan, against Leverkusen in the Europa League, in which they made it to the quarter-finals with the red and white team. In addition, three domestic titles in the league. From hatchery 36 Lion is certainly not the only interesting fighter that Trpišovský was later interested in.
💬 “I believe in my abilities, my talent and the direction I’ve set for myself. Always working hard and listening to the coaches has helped me everywhere I’ve gone. I can’t wait to run out into this beautiful stadium and leave my mark,” says Samuel Isife.
Interview 👉 pic.twitter.com/EFVUTDY9U4
— SK Slavia Prague (@slaviaofficial) September 10, 2025
Yira Sor also played for Slavia, who was later sold to Genk. Moses Usor eventually went to Linz from Eden, Slavia’s main player Muhamed Tijani is now trying to play on loan in Olomouc. The latest interesting addition from the 36 Lion club is Samuel Isife. Even the reigning champions did not hesitate to pay a record amount (over 40 million crowns) for him in September. Dukla has not yet received such an amount for anyone.
There is also competition in the 36 Lion
Trpišovský likes these types of defenders. Isife fits his demanding style perfectly. “I met coach Trpišovský. He told me that he really liked my movement, speed and passion. That’s why he wanted me here.” explained for the club web Isife, who remained in Dukla in the fall. Now he is fighting for a place in the strong competition of Slavia. But he is used to pressure. He spent 4 years at the 36 Lion academy and knows how much he has to do to be successful.
The first team in the Czech Republic, where the 21-year-old Isife worked, was the second division Vlašim. And suddenly he found himself in a rich Eden. It will be difficult for him to get on the pitch despite David Douděra or Daiki Hashioka, but his moment will surely come. As he starts his torpedo, few people are enough for him. And that’s what Trpišovský requires. “I believe in my abilities, my talent and the direction I have set for myself. I am from Lagos – one of the biggest cities in Nigeria. There are a lot of promising footballers there, David Moses was one of them.” reminded another kicker of Slavia.
How do you rate the Slavia players who went through the famous academy? Write to us in the comments
