Ever wondered who would come out on top if North Africa's best Call of Duty Mobile teams went head-to-head for a spot in the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025? Well, the wait is over. After days of fierce competition, intense matchups, and non-stop action, the North Africa regional qualifiers have crowned their champion. 

Six teams (Instinct, FT legacy, Elga7ed's team, Insanity E-Sport, Minors, and UCA The Fierce Warrior) battled through group stages and grueling playoffs, all chasing a coveted ticket to the Africa Cup finals.

Each team brought their A-game, but it was Instinct who emerged as the dominant force. Not dropping a single map, they steamrolled their way to the top, claiming the title and the pride of North Africa. Here's how it all went down.

‍

Tournament Overview

This qualifier kicked off with a round-robin group stage from May 30 – June 1 to determine seeding for the playoffs. Each match was a best-of-five series encompassing Call of Duty Mobile’s core modes (Hardpoint, Search & Destroy, and Control) under the official rules.

The group stage quickly separated the wheat from the chaff. Instinct and Insanity E-Sport each dominated their respective groups with perfect 2–0 win records. Following behind were FT legacy and Minors, who each finished 1win–1loss to secure second place in their groups. Meanwhile, Elga7ed's team  (you may remember them from last year’s comp) and UCA The Fierce Warrior struggled against the competition and could not notch a win in group play.

All six teams advanced to the playoffs (with the top two seeds receiving byes), seeded as #1 Instinct, #2 Insanity E-Sport, #3 FT legacy, #4 Minors, #5 Elga7ed's team, and #6 UCA The Fierce Warrior. This set the stage for a dramatic double-elimination playoff bracket.

‍

Winners Bracket Recap

‍

Winners Round 1

‍

The playoffs opened with two quarterfinal matches. In the first, Minors (the #4 seed) faced Elga7ed's team. Minors, a young squad hungry to prove themselves, came out strong and swept Elga7ed's team 3–0, quickly sending the underdogs to the lower bracket. In the other match, FT legacy (#3 seed) took on UCA The Fierce Warrior. FT legacy’s experience showed as they also scored a clean 3–0 victory, knocking UCA down to the lower bracket. The top seeds, Instinct and Insanity E-Sport, received byes through this round and advanced automatically to the semifinals.

‍

Winners Round 2

‍

In the upper bracket semifinals, the intensity picked up. First up, Instinct finally hit the battlefield, facing Minors. Instinct continued their dominant run with another convincing 3–0 win. The #1 seed’s coordination and sharp gunplay were on full display as they outclassed Minors in each game mode, showing why they were the favorites.

‍

Over in the other semifinal, FT legacy squared off against Insanity E-Sport. This match produced a surprise result. FT legacy defeated the #2 seed Insanity E-Sport in a stunning 3–0 sweep. Insanity, which had looked strong in groups, suddenly found themselves unable to counter FT legacy’s tactics and momentum. The upset win sent Insanity E-Sport down to the lower bracket, while FT legacy moved on with confidence.

‍

Winners Final (Round 3)

‍

The upper bracket final pitted Instinct versus FT legacy: a showdown between the top seed and a confident challenger. Instinct once again proved their superiority. They beat FT legacy 3–0 to secure their spot in the Grand Final. Instinct’s map control and objective play were excellent, leaving little opportunity for FT legacy to make an impact. With this win, Instinct remained unbeaten and waited in the Grand Final, while FT legacy dropped into the lower bracket final for one last chance.

‍

Lower Bracket Recap

‍

Lower Round 1

‍

Meanwhile, the lower bracket was a do-or-die gauntlet for teams hanging onto their tournament lives. Because of the bracket format, both Elga7ed's team and UCA The Fierce Warrior advanced through Lower Round 1 by default (receiving byes) after their initial losses. This gave them a brief lifeline, but a formidable challenge awaited in the next round.

‍

Lower Round 2

‍

In Lower Round 2, Insanity E-Sport began its fight to survive after the earlier upset. They faced Elga7ed's team, who were coming off that bye. Insanity E-Sport played with determination and swept Elga7ed's team 3–0, eliminating them from the tournament. Elga7ed’s run ended in 5th/6th place, but they gained valuable experience from these high-level matches.

‍

On the other side of the lower bracket, Minors met UCA The Fierce Warrior. Minors, still regrouping after their loss to Instinct, came out with something to prove. They dominated UCA The Fierce Warrior 3–0, knocking out UCA from the competition. UCA The Fierce Warrior, who had struggled all event, bowed out in 5th/6th place as well.

‍

Lower Round 3

‍

Next up was a high-stakes showdown between Insanity E-Sport and Minors. Both teams were fighting to keep their title hopes alive and neither could afford a mistake. Here, Minors really hit their stride. They outplayed Insanity E-Sport in a 3–0 sweep, sending the Group Stage’s top seed home in fourth place. It was a statement win for Minors; their crisp teamwork and clutch plays shone as they dismantled Insanity in each mode. After a promising start in groups, Insanity E-Sport had to settle for a disappointing 4th place finish, while Minors marched on.

‍

Lower Final (Round 4)

‍

The lower bracket final saw FT legacy awaiting Minors in a battle for a Grand Final berth. FT legacy was eager to bounce back from their upper bracket loss, but Minors had all the momentum at this point. In a thrilling display, Minors defeated FT legacy 3–0, completing yet another sweep. The #4 seed’s aggressive but coordinated style overwhelmed FT legacy, who struggled to regain their footing. FT legacy, a strong contender throughout the event, was eliminated in third place. Minors’ lower-bracket miracle run earned them a spot in the Grand Final and a chance to avenge their earlier loss to Instinct.

‍

Grand Final: Champion Crowned

The Grand Final was a best-of-7 showdown between Instinct (coming from the upper bracket undefeated) and Minors (the battle-tested lower bracket finalist). With no bracket reset needed (Instinct had not lost a series), the final series gave Instinct a one-map advantage and they needed four map wins to clinch the title.

‍

They wasted no time. Instinct came out on fire and swept Minors 4–0 in the Grand Final, an emphatic performance that left no doubt about their supremacy. Each game of the final showcased Instinct’s exceptional coordination and skill. They were always a step ahead, securing early rotations in Hardpoint and making clutch plays in Search & Destroy to stay in control. Minors fought hard and tried to break through, but Instinct shut down every attempt.

‍

By the end of the day, Instinct stood as the North Africa champions, completing the entire qualifier without dropping a single map in either group play or playoffs. It was a truly dominant run. Minors, after their incredible lower bracket run, earned a well-deserved runner-up finish as the second-best team in the region.

‍

Meet the Teams: Profiles and Highlights

‍

Instinct

‍

Instinct entered as the favorite and absolutely lived up to the hype with an undefeated run. This squad was remarkably consistent and in sync throughout the qualifier. They swept through the group stage and playoffs without dropping a map (including a 4–0 victory in the Grand Final). Instinct’s players always seemed one step ahead of the competition. 

They often secured early control in Hardpoint and played disciplined defense in Search & Destroy, never letting opponents gain momentum. No team even managed to take a single map off them. This dominant showing cements Instinct as the team to beat in North Africa’s CODM scene. They now carry the region’s hopes as they head to the Africa Cup finals in Lagos.

‍

Minors

Minors delivered one of the most impressive performances of the event as a true dark horse team. Their group stage was solid (finishing second in Group 2 at 1–1), but it was in the playoffs that Minors really shined. After an early upper bracket loss to Instinct, they roared back with an incredible lower bracket run, winning three consecutive elimination matches (all 3–0 sweeps) to reach the Grand Final.
‍

Minors’ players showcased relentless aggression and clutch coordination under pressure. They knocked out UCA The Fierce Warrior, then avenged their group stage loss by eliminating Insanity E-Sport, and finally upset FT legacy in the lower final. Though Instinct ultimately proved too much in the Grand Final, Minors’ runner-up finish proved that they are a rising powerhouse. This team far exceeded expectations and earned respect as North Africa’s surprise finalist.

‍

FT legacy

FT legacy demonstrated that they are a top contender, finishing in third place. They had a strong run through the bracket, fueled by experience and solid tactics. FT legacy went 1–1 in their group (second in Group 1) and then impressed in the playoffs with decisive victories. Their biggest moment was the 3–0 upset over Insanity E-Sport in the upper bracket semifinals, which punched their ticket to the winners final.
‍

Throughout the tournament, FT legacy showed good teamwork and adaptability, especially in that win against Insanity where they outsmarted one of the favorites. Although their journey was halted by losses to Instinct in the winners final and Minors in the lower final, FT legacy’s third-place performance confirmed they are among North Africa’s elite teams. With a bit more consistency, they could challenge even harder in future events.

‍

Insanity E-Sport

Insanity E-Sport came into the qualifier with high hopes, and they had a terrific start by dominating Group 2 with a perfect record. However, their momentum didn’t carry through the playoffs as expected. Insanity fell victim to an upset by FT legacy in the winners semifinal, a result that seemed to rattle them. They managed to bounce back by sweeping Elga7ed's team in the lower bracket, but were then eliminated by Minors in a 0–3 loss.
‍

Insanity E-Sport ultimately finished in fourth place; a respectable showing, but likely below their own expectations given their strong early performance. This team clearly has plenty of talent and will be reflecting on what went wrong in those playoff matches. With some adjustments and more experience, Insanity E-Sport can return stronger and compete for titles.

‍

Elga7ed’s team

Elga7ed’s team (often abbreviated as E7t) entered as underdogs and faced a tough road, finishing tied for fifth/sixth place. In the group stage, they struggled against more established teams, going 0–2 in Group 1. In the playoffs, they were swept by Minors in their opening match, then eliminated by Insanity E-Sport in the lower bracket.
‍

Despite the winless run, Elga7ed’s team gained invaluable experience competing at this level. They showed flashes of potential even in defeat, some rounds were close, but they couldn’t convert those into map wins against the top squads.

‍

UCA The Fierce Warrior

UCA The Fierce Warrior also bowed out in fifth/sixth place without a match win, but their journey had similar learning value. UCA went 0–2 in Group 2 and then fell 0–3 to FT legacy in the playoff upper bracket. In the lower bracket, they had a chance to regroup but ran into a determined Minors team and lost 0–3 there as well.

Even though they didn’t find success in terms of series wins, UCA The Fierce Warrior showed resilience by keeping their heads up and trying different strategies in each game. Going up against the region’s top teams was a challenge that highlighted areas for improvement. If this squad stays together and continues practicing, they can use this experience to grow stronger. 

‍

Road to Lagos: What’s Next?

‍

Instinct now heads to the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 Grand Finals in Lagos, Nigeria, on August 30–31. FT Legacy, Insanity E-Sport, and others may return to fight again in future qualifiers, but for now, Instinct is the undisputed North Africa champion. With a $15,000 prize pool and the honor of representing Africa at the Call of Duty Mobile World Championship 2025 on the line, the competition in Lagos promises to be as fierce as ever.

‍

For now, Instinct stands at the top, their dominant performance in North Africa giving them the momentum they need to go all the way in Lagos. Up next on the list is the Ghana regional qualifiers!

‍