“He is a genius at fighting games. I can’t believe it—all the way from Senegal; his first time at EVO.” These were the words of the commentator during the presentation of a top-five medal to Ismaila “Verix” Gueye for Guilty Gear Strive at EVO 2023.
For many, Ismaila’s performance came as a surprise for a debutant on the biggest fighting games stage in the world. However, it is a moment that Ismaila and his team, SOLO Esport have prepared for. From dominating at GamrX and winning several other tournaments, it was just a matter of time.
SOLO Esport is the first fully professional esports organization in West Africa launched back in 2020. The organization was a brainchild of SENGAMES —Senegalese Gaming Association in partnership with the French Embassy in Senegal. The team is based in Dakar with a focus on several games including FIFA, Tekken, Mortal Kombat and Guilty Gear Strive.
Since its launch, SOLO Esport have wasted no time in defining the landscape of the esports scene in Senegal and beyond. Their FIFA players, Moustapha “DexXjr” Thiam and Adama “Addexx” Thiam are among the most successful FIFA players from West Africa. DexXjr won the Eligue 1 Tour 2023 and a finalist at International Youth E-Games Championship. He also became the FIFA champion at the 2023 GamrX tournament. His teammate, Addexx is a five time Senegalese FIFA champion and a winner of the Orange Gaming Tour.
Additionally, they have Amsata “Hamza” Niang, who is recognized as one of the top Mortal Kombat 11 players in the whole of Africa. Hamza is a two-time Africa champion at GamrX and has also won the Kolloseum 2021 North and West Africa Zone.
“It’s a true pleasure to reminisce about my experiences as a two-time GamrX champion and my run in my first EVO tournament, which was a dream come true,” said Hamza. “Participating in these tournaments was an exhilarating experience, full of challenges, learning opportunities, and most importantly, unforgettable moments. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my Team SOLO Esport for their unwavering support throughout my journey. Their belief in my skills has been the driving force behind my successes.”
SOLO Esport’s Success at EVO 2023
The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) is the world’s largest yearly fighting game tournament, drawing participants from various regions. For both Verix and Hamza, EVO 2023 was their debut on the grand stage. The 2023 edition shattered the record for participants, with 9,182 players registered to compete across the eight major titles. Guilty Gear Strive, the game in which Verix competed, had about 2,481 competitors, while 451 players competed in Mortal Kombat 11.
Both Hamza and Verix did extremely well with a top 33 and five finish respectively. They shocked many and put the fighting game world on notice of their skills, and the plan is to win it all at EVO 2024.
“Looking towards the future, I’m more determined than ever to clinch victory at the next MK1 edition of EVO,” said Hamza. “My goal goes beyond personal triumph; it’s about illuminating the gaming scene in Africa and making our mark on the global stage. It won’t be an easy task, but I have hope that through hard work and discipline, we can achieve it.”
A Promising Future for the African Fighting Games Community
The Fighting games community in Africa has developed immensely within the last three years. With players like Adel “BigBird” Anouche Jabhi Mabuza, Malika “QueenArrow” Siheme and many more breaking the limits each year, there is still a lot of room for the community to grow.
“There’s an immense potential waiting to be harnessed!” said Hamza about the fighting games community in Africa. “To propel the FGC in Africa community forward, we should focus on promoting inclusivity, organizing more local events, and providing resources to help players hone their skills. By collaborating with gaming organizations, promoting tournaments as GamrX has done so well, and fostering a strong online presence like the “RAAK MBA DEE” community in Senegal, FGC Africa in South Africa, and the Fight Club community in West Africa and more, we can create an environment where African players can truly shine! The passion and dedication are already there, and with the right support and infrastructure, the fighting games community in Africa can undoubtedly reach even greater heights.”
With EVO done and some African players participating in Saudi’s Gamers8 Festival, there is no doubt that we’ll witness something special again. The road to advancing esports in Africa requires collaboration, dedication and it undeniably proves that passion and talent can transcend borders. As the community continues to unite and work towards a shared vision, the future of esports in Africa looks brighter than ever.
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