Lagos, Nigeria is set to become the epicenter of African esports as the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 – Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) Grand Finals takes place from August 30–31, 2025. Eight of Africa’s strongest CODM teams will go head-to-head in this $15,000 prize pool showdown, the biggest CODM event on the continent so far. The stakes are higher than ever, with the winner earning a historic first-ever ticket to represent Africa at the CODM World Championship.

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We spoke to team captains from Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Senegal, North Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria to uncover how they’re mentally and strategically preparing for this high-pressure esports tournament.

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The Mental Game: Staying Calm Under Pressure

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At the highest level of competition, mechanical skill only gets you so far. Mental fortitude is everything.

“You can train for hours a day, but if you can't keep your cool in the tough moments when things don't go your way, it won't matter,” says Ruin, captain of Ghana’s Aura 233, emphasizing how crucial mindset is in clutch situations. He’s not alone in this thinking. Many of the finalists stress calmness and confidence as the real game-changers.

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For Virus of Nigeria’s champion team, Sierra7, the key is shutting out the noise: both the roar of the crowd and the pressure of the moment.

“Don't let the crowd or the pressure shake you,” he advises. “Just believe in yourself, believe in your team, and believe in the work you guys have put in.” Staying composed and trusting your squad’s preparation can make the difference when every round counts. 

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It’s a sentiment echoed by Toxic, the captain of South Africa’s ParadoX, who keeps it simple: “Stay calm and composed at all times. Don’t get irritated and always be confident in every play you make.” In other words, confidence and coolness go hand-in-hand: if you play nervously, you’re more likely to make mistakes, but a confident team can execute strategies even under immense pressure.

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Coping with First-Time LAN Nerves

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Maintaining this cool on the big stage isn’t always easy, especially for players experiencing their first LAN event. Device from Instinct (representing North Africa) points out that stepping onto a live stage, under bright lights and in a new environment, can rattle even seasoned online warriors. 

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His solution is to “just vibe” and lean on the camaraderie with teammates to ease the nerves. Traveling to a different country for the finals (in his case, coming to Nigeria for the first time) might make some players anxious, but Device notes that arriving a bit early and getting comfortable helps. 

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“It’s all gonna be in the mindset,” he says. The way he sees it, once the match starts, everyone is equal and likely just as nervous, so the team that can settle their nerves first will perform better. Experienced shoutcasters and coaches often say the same: the mental game often decides the real winners at a LAN.

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Beyond the Game

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Several players also highlight mental preparation off the screen. Figure, a top fragger for Nigeria’s Eclipse Gaming*, admits he’s been training his mind as much as his aim. During practice he might pull off flashy plays, “dropping 60 bombs” in scrims, but he knows a tournament final is a different beast. 

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Nerves can tighten your aim and cloud your judgment. Figure’s advice is refreshingly down-to-earth: take care of yourself outside the game. “Exercise… touch grass,” he says with a laugh, referring to the old gamer adage to go outside once in a while. Burnout or an overloaded mind can cause you to “black out,” as he puts it, when the pressure is on.

*Important Note: Due to unforeseen travel challenges, Trinity Esports (Mauritius) who won the Wildcard Qualifiers, will unfortunately not be participating in the Grand Finals. Replacing them is Eclipse Gaming from Nigeria.

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Adapt and Overcome: Strategy and Adaptability

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Beyond mindset, one word that comes up repeatedly is adaptability. In a game as pacy as Call of Duty: Mobile, sticking to a single game plan can be a liability. Swae, the in-game leader for Kenya’s Delta eSports, stresses the importance of reading the situation and adjusting on the fly. 

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“Have adaptive strategies and adapt to the playstyle of your enemy,” he advises. “Don't have a fixed strat for everything – always have a layout for a situation where a contingency is needed.” 

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In the finals, every team will have done their homework on each other’s tactics, so the ability to switch things up mid-match is crucial. Swae’s team didn’t drop a single map in the Kenyan playoffs, and he attributes that dominant run to being unpredictable and ready with a Plan B at all times.

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This theme of on-the-spot adaptation is echoed by Nolimit, captain of Senegal’s Sage Gaming. He believes the Grand Finals will be a chess match of quick adjustments. “Finals are about reading the game quickly and staying unpredictable,” Nolimit says. His tip for competing at the finals is to constantly adapt your playstyle to your opponent. 

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In other words, don’t let the enemy team catch on to your tactics. If you came in with an aggressive strategy and it’s not working against a particular opponent, be ready to dial it back and play methodically (or vice versa). The team that can identify what’s working “in the moment” and capitalize on it will have the edge.

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Momentum Shifts and Clutch Adjustments

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Sometimes, a single adjustment or heroic play can swing the entire momentum of a match. Uganda’s Outcast, from Nondescript Gaming, highlighted this when sharing his favorite clutch moment. “When the pressure mounts, it's about the perfect plan,” he says, describing how a team needs to adapt during play. It could be reading your enemy’s push and landing that one shot that shifts the momentum. 

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In one of his regional matches, his team led 4-0 in a Search & Destroy and then started slipping as the opponents clawed back a few rounds. Realizing they needed to change something, Outkast and his teammates huddled, read the opponents’ next move, and countered it decisively. That one adjustment stopped the comeback in its tracks and sent Nondescript Gaming to the Grand Finals in Lagos. It’s a prime example of how staying connected to the game and thinking on your feet can secure victory even when a match gets chaotic.

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Adaptability isn’t just about strategy either – it’s also about keeping your composure when unexpected things happen. The best teams remain calm and flexible whether they’re leading comfortably or fighting from behind. As these finalists prepare for Lagos, they’re studying each other’s gameplay, yes, but they’re also preparing to throw curveballs and handle anything thrown at them. 

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In a LAN environment, you might lose a map you expected to win or face an unorthodox tactic from an underdog team. The champions will be those who adjust fastest in those moments of uncertainty.

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All Eyes on the Grand Finals

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The Lagos Grand Finals will be the climax of months of pan-African CODM competition. The finalist teams from six countries are stepping onto this pan-African stage with one goal: to make history as the Carry1st Africa Cup champions.

For players like Nolimit from Sage Gaming, it’s not only about personal glory but also about representing their country. Nolimit hopes a strong finish (ideally a podium spot) by his Senegalese squad will “show Africa that Senegal has the potential to be here,” inspiring fans back home. That patriotic pride is shared by others, such as Outcast who feels honored to put Uganda on the map in this championship.

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The Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 Grand Finals is more than a tournament: it’s a historic chance for these players to prove themselves as Africa’s best and earn the region’s first berth on the global stage. As Device puts it:

“At the end of the day… you gotta do your best. You never know what happens in a LAN because everyone’s equal and everyone watching wants to see a great match.”

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One thing’s for sure: if these pro tips are anything to go by, we’re in for an incredible finals. Each team will bring its own flavor, strategy, and passion, and when the dust settles, Africa will have a new champion ready to take on the world. Game on!

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