In a momentous achievement for African football and a proud milestone for 36 Lion FC of Lagos, our very own Mamady “Lion” Cisse has officially signed a three-year contract with Brazilian top-flight club, Atlético Mineiro.
Discovered in Guinea Conakry and brought to Lagos three years ago under our development program, Cisse’s journey reflects the core mission of 36 Lion FC: to identify, nurture, and launch elite African talent onto the world stage.
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This groundbreaking move makes Cisse the first African player ever to sign directly with the storied club in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
This historic success was made possible through a visionary partnership involving Mr. Sheku Sheriff, Mr. Aly Badara Sampou of ACADEMIE ATOUGA FOOT in Guinea, and Cem Sagar of Diamond Sports Management.
Together, we’ve made great strides in advancing a direct pathway from African grassroots football to South America—an unprecedented achievement.
Cisse stands out with a dynamic playing style defined by instinctive flair, creativity, and physical dominance.
His consistent performance and distinctive talent are what earned him the nickname “Lion”—a name he has proudly lived up to on and off the pitch.
At 36 Lion FC, this moment affirms our vision and relentless commitment to creating global opportunities for African players. We celebrate this as a landmark not just for our club, but for African football as a whole.
Congratulations once again to our Lion—Mamady Cisse. Brazil awaits your roar.
— 36 Lion Football Club, Lagos
