Dylan Rosser, the lead administrator of the event (left), and John Walenga, Maties Esports captain, after he placed second overall at a recent FIFA23 Community Tournament. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Esports captain placed second in the regional FIFA23 Community Tournament held at the University of Cape Town (UCT) sports hall recently. This is according to Dylan Rosser, the lead administrator of the event.
The tournament, held on 18 March, was a regional community tournament hosted by the African Cyber Gaming League (ACGL) and an on-going collaboration with Kasi Esports and The Toyota Gaming engine, said Clint O’Shea, co-owner of ACGL.
“I feel like I was supposed to win the game,” said John Walenga, captain of the Stellenbosch Maties Esports Team. “I feel like I showed good control of the game and had a very good scoring opportunity at the end, but just missed it,” added Walenga.
The outcome of the final came down to a penalty shootout between Walenga and Athenkosi Duva, from the Kasi Esports Club, who ultimately placed first, said Rosser.
“I am proud of him,” said Yaseen Gangat, club manager of Maties Esports after Walenga placed second. “He’s very talented and I think he has a big future in Esports.”
A total of 64 gamers recently competed in the FIFA23 community tournament held at the UCT Sports Hall, said Nick Holden, the co-owner of the African Cyber Gaming League. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
Double elimination
The tournament had a double elimination structure, meaning that if competitors lost two games, they were eliminated, said Nick Holden, the co-owner of the ACGL.
The most recent FIFA23 tournament was free to enter, and was open to UCT students, SU students, as well as members from Kasi Esports Gamer Club and other gamers from the surrounding areas, said Holden.
A total of 64 gamers competed in the tournament, with a total of R1 000 of prize money up for grabs, explained Holden.
The top three players at a recent FIFA23 Community Tournament held at the University of Cape Town were, from left: John Walenga, Maties Esports captain, who placed second, Athenkosi Duva, who placed first, and Luke Gabriel who came third. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
The build-up
The top 10 Maties Esports gamers were selected to compete in the FIFA23 Community Tournament, said Stanley Shikwambi, Maties Esports chairperson. Selection was based on a small gaming match hosted by Maties Esports the day before the tournament, explained Shikwambi.
There are currently 22 members on the team, said Zain Forbes who is in charge of the social media and marketing at Maties Esports.