South Africa is full of incredible talent from casual gamers to competitive esports stars, and the Goliath Gaming team is heading to Dubai to fly the SA flag high!
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (27 February 2020) – Between 1-16 March 2020, some of South Africa’s top Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and FIFA players will head to Dubai to compete in various international qualifiers for their respective titles.
Following their trip to Dreamhack Delhi in December 2019, the Goliath Gaming CS:GO team has received a direct invite from ESL to compete in the Middle East Closed Qualifier for the Asia Minor. Should the team win this qualifier, they will head to Brazil to compete in ESL One Rio, taking place in April 2020.
The CS:GO players who will be representing Goliath Gaming and South Africa at the Middle East Closed Qualifier in Dubai are:
- Adam ‘adM’ Mansoor (in-game leader/captain)
- Rikus ‘ZIPZIP’ Klue
- Tyler ‘adaro’ Oliver
- Dean ‘massacRe’ Davids
- Roberto ‘blackpoisoN’ Dall’Occo (stand-in)
- Coach: Thulani ‘LighteRTZ’ Sishi
- Hype-man: Wiljahne ‘mango’ Smith
Opportunities such as this where South African gamers are able to compete on a global level are incredibly valuable and should be supported wherever possible, says Belinda Marais, Marketing Manager for Acer Africa.
“South Africa is full of incredible talent from casual gamers to competitive esports stars. The dream for most gamers is to compete internationally where their skills will really be put to the test against the best in the world on an equal playing field. That said, we were thrilled to hear of this opportunity presented to the Goliath Gaming players and wanted to support as best as we can. We are delighted that Goliath Gaming trusts Predator Gaming products as hardware to perform at the top of their game, during these qualifiers and beyond, and wish the teams and players all the best for the qualifiers,” Marais adds.
In addition to this, Julio ‘BEAST’ Bianchi, Thabo ‘Yvng Savage’ Moloi and Shiaan ‘Shiaan1201’ Rugbeer, FIFA players for Goliath Gaming, will also be heading to Dubai to compete in the FIFA eChampions League qualifiers.
For Bianchi and Rugbeer, this won’t be the first time they’ve competed on the international stage. Both players represented South Africa in the FIFA eWorld Cup Global Series Playoffs in Amsterdam in 2018; with Rugbeer having also represented his country at the FIFA eNations Cup in London as well as at the PGL FIFA 19 Masters in Bucharest in 2019.
For Moloi, aged 18, this will be his first time travelling overseas, but not the first time he will have received an opportunity to compete globally. In 2018 the young champ won the VS Gaming FIFA Festival walking away with R400 000 in prize money and the opportunity to represent South Africa in Amsterdam at the FIFA eWorld Cup Global Series Playoffs – all at the tender age of 16. Due to an unforeseen delay in obtaining his passport, he was unable to join in Amsterdam but is thrilled at this opportunity to compete in the eChampions League qualifiers in Dubai.
“It’s really so incredible to have this opportunity to see another part of the world – which may not have presented itself if not for gaming! I’m really excited to represent myself and my team, and I will do my best to make everyone – especially my mom who has been my biggest supporter and is the most incredible woman I know – proud during the qualifiers,” says Moloi.
Outside of the qualifiers, Moloi is thrilled to experience his first flight and everything that comes along with travelling for the first time. He has already begun preparation for the qualifiers and his travels, along with the support of some fabulous friends and brands, including PlayStation, Acer, Predator Gaming, Apex Interactive, Emirates, Debonairs Pizza, Tshepang Electrical and American Tourister.
“American Tourister is all about adventures. When we discovered that this is the first time that Thabo will be travelling overseas for these global qualifiers, we knew that he would need great luggage. We hope that Thabo and his team have an incredible experience and wish them all the best for the qualifiers,” said Tom O’Flaherty, managing director of American Tourister in South Africa.
For the latest Goliath Gaming and “Team SA in Dubai” updates, be sure to follow:
- Twitter https://twitter.com/GoliathGamingZA
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GoliathGamingZA/
- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/goliathgamingza/
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