When Oscar Murphy Dorley won the Czech league trophy two days ago with Slavia Prague for the third time, it wasn’t just a victory for the club, it was a defining moment for Liberian football.
At 26, Dorley has now matched the legendary George Weah’s European league title count, putting his name alongside the only African Ballon d’Or winner in the hearts of football-loving Liberians. Weah, whose European triumphs span France and Italy with PSG and AC Milan, now shares that elite tally with a young man from the streets of Monrovia who dared to dream just as big.
Dorley’s journey with Slavia began in 2019 when he signed from Slovan Liberec for a reported one million euros, a fee that, in hindsight, looks like a bargain. That very season, he helped the club clinch the league title, setting the tone for a fruitful tenure in Prague. With this season’s success, he’s now celebrating his third domestic crown in just five years.
This latest win comes with even bigger rewards. Slavia Prague has secured an automatic spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage, meaning Dorley, if he stays, will share the European spotlight with fellow Liberian Devine Teah, who joined the Czech giants in 2024.
For many back home, this moment is more than just stats and silverware. It’s a symbol. A reminder that Liberians can still make their mark on the world stage, not just in politics or entertainment, but in the beautiful game where Weah once ruled supreme.
Yet, amid the celebrations, uncertainty looms. Will Dorley remain with Slavia for the Champions League campaign? Or is a new chapter, perhaps in a bigger league, calling his name?
What’s clear is this: Liberia has found another football hero, one whose journey is far from over. The country watches and waits, proud and hopeful, for what comes next.
