Lagos youth football continues to supply talent to Europe, as four exceptional players arrived in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, April 29, to commence six-week trials with Slavia Prague and Slovan Liberec. The group, selected from the Jagaban Cup, Lagos Supremacy Cup, and The Creative Championship, touched down in Prague and Liberec early Wednesday and have already acclimated to their respective club facilities in preparation for training.
Azuka Alatan, a defender from 36 Lion scouted at the Jagaban Cup, leads the group. The 18-year-old left-back represented the Flying Eagles at the last FIFA U20 World Cup, impressing scouts with his poise, aerial ability, and distribution skills from the back. His performances in Lagos earned him a spot in Aliyu Zubairu’s squad, and he now aims to convert that international experience into a European contract.
Daniel Vowero hails from Beyond Limits FA, the Ikenne-based academy that clinched the 2024 Lagos Supremacy Cup. Vowero was discovered at the Supremacy Cup, where Beyond Limits triumphed over Dino SC in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time. A versatile defender with a knack for scoring, he played a key role as Beyond Limits topped Group B and reached the final again in 2025, despite a 3-2 defeat to Real Sapphire on Day 3. His technical prowess and game intelligence made him a prime target for Czech scouts.
Also heading to the Czech Republic is Shedrack Bitrus from Triple 44. The right back was another talent unearthed at the Jagaban Cup, utilizing the “No Offside” tournament format to display his dribbling skills, late runs into the box, and set-piece execution. Triple 44 secured second place in Group B of the 2025 Supremacy Cup with six points, tied with Beyond Limits, and Bitrus’ performances in both tournaments convinced scouts to offer him a trial opportunity.
Completing the group is Lucky Shekwodiza, a winger from Sporting Lagos who was discovered through TCC games and exceptional performances in The Creative Championship. Known to TCC followers as “John Lucky,” this attacker has received several Man of the Match awards, including a prominent role in a 4-0 victory over Escola United, where he remarked, “football is good, football is interesting with TCC.” His speed, directness, and work ethic during Sporting’s TCC League and Cup campaigns attracted attention, and he is now set to join Slovan Liberec for evaluation.
All four players will dedicate the next six weeks to training and participating in closed-door matches with the youth and B teams of Slavia Prague and Slovan Liberec. This move highlights the increasing recognition of Nigerian grassroots tournaments such as the Jagaban Cup, Lagos Supremacy Cup, and TCC as dependable scouting venues for European clubs in search of skilled, eager prospects ready to advance to the next level.
