MEET THE ELIGUE 1 TOUR FINALISTS
eLigue1tour finalist from left, Demon, Camzy, Kappa and Derro.
When 264 gamers turned up for the eLigue 1 Tour qualifiers round on February 26, 2023, many expected the FIFA esports bigwigs to triumph, only to be proven wrong by these eight gamers. A whole new crop of gamers came out on top with George Kimaru becoming the only finalist from last year to make it to the last 8.
We introduce to you the finalists from whom one shall make it to Paris, France courtesy of Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
Taliban, the youngest of them all.
Taliban
The youngest of them all, this 18 year old high school student is in his second ever FIFA esports competition after getting encouragement from his friends to join the competitive scene.
Currently studying at Kinyago Dandora Secondary School, he adopted the name taliban after being nicknamed by his classmates who believed he was the toughest guy around.
His team of choice is Paris Saint Germain which he says he loves because of Lionnel Messi.
2. Kappa
Kappa, the teenage sensation.
Hailing from Thika, Kiambu County, this is the hottest teenage sensation in the Kenyan FIFA esports scene. Fresh from completing his high school last year, Kappa has been tearing gamers apart in many tournaments even while still in school.
Now, he finds himself at his biggest stage yet in what is looking like a promising esports career. Trained by the eHubGamers team, the six foot, soft spoken guy shall be playing with Clermont Foot.
Winning a trip to France would be a wonderful high school graduation gift for him. But does he have what it takes?
3. Porkchop
Pokchop, the star attraction after eliminating the defending champion.
Undoubtedly, the star attraction of the qualifying round after pulling the shock of the tournament when he eliminated the defending champion Luony “fox” Teat in the first round, Porkchop cannot be ignored.
The Kahawa West based gamer also owns a gaming cafe known as Sonic Spot in his hood. Perhaps, it is having the PlayStations at his disposal that has made him this good or its the fact that he has been an active footballer before calling it quits to focus on his love for gaming.
The 23 year old will be using Anger SCO.
4. Derro
Derro, The Mt. Kenya University final year student.
Another one from eHubgamers team, Derro also studies economics at the Mt. Kenya University, currently in his final year.
Introduced to gaming by Lameck, his bosom buddy, Derro cuts the mark of a razor focused gamer.
The prospect of meeting Kappa, his teammate, in the finals, makes it interesting. However, he will have to take care of business in the quarters and the semis first.
Stade Reims is his team of choice.
5. Mbemba
Mbemba, introduced to gaming by his dad.
Hailing from Mlolongo, Machakos County, Mbemba’s story is an interesting one. He got introduced to gaming by his father, but not in their house as you might expect. Rather, his father had a day job and they couldn’t afford a nanny, so he would drop Bemba at a gaming lounge where he would stay until he returned to pick him later in the day.
The University of Nairobi student's huge strength is his unpredictability, and he will be hoping to do great things as he plays with Angers SCO.
6. Camzy
Camzy, the dancing gamer.
Based in Ngara, Nairobi, Camzy was also another big hitter in the qualifying round. Eliminating last year’s finalist Sam Carter amongst other big shots on his way to the finals.
In his other life the 24 year old is a dancer and perhaps he will need to bring in some of those skills in his aim of representing Kenya in France.
Camzy will be taking to the stage with AS Monaco.
7. Kimaru
Kimaru, the software engineer and only surviving finalist from last year.
After surviving the tsunami that swept away last year’s finalists, Kimaru is back to the finals once again. A familiar stage for him now, he will be hoping to make his experience count.
The software developer who always has his headsets on during play fell at the first hurdle in last year’s finals and has switched from using AS Monaco to using Paris Saint Germain.
8. Demon
Demon, the pundits favorite.
Considered by many pundits as the title favorite, Demon comes in with huge experience having won several FIFA esports tournaments over the last two years.
Last year, the Masters of Mayhem trained gamer represented Kenya in Nigeria and therefore he also knows what it means to play on the international stage.
The KCA University student has settled on Angers SCO as his team of choice.
eLigue1Tour finalists from left Taliban, Porkchop, Mbemba and Kimaru.
You can catch the stream of the finals live on IndexG Esports YouTube channel from 6:00 pm, EAT. This shall be East Africa’s biggest live esports showcase.