Three nail-biting weeks of Call of Duty: Mobile action in Nigeria boiled down to a single, breathless moment. When Sierra7 clinched the final kill against Eclipse Gaming, nobody watching could believe it. But this victory didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of a relentless battle through group stages, fierce playoff clashes, and high-stakes rematches. 

‍

Now, Sierra7 stands as back-to-back regional champions, and their eyes are already fixed on Lagos, where they'll face Africa’s best at the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 Grand Finals. Before we look ahead, though, let’s rewind and see exactly how Sierra7 made history and why Nigeria’s regional finals delivered some of the best CODM action we've seen yet.

‍

From Group Stages to Playoffs: A Battle of 22 Teams

‍

The Nigeria Qualifier brought together over 20 teams from across the country, each with a dream of representing Nigeria on Africa’s biggest stage. The tournament kicked off with a round-robin group stage from July 18–20, where teams were split into four groups. Every group match was a best-of-five series (Hardpoint, Search & Destroy, Control), so even early on, we saw full-fledged battles rather than quick best-of-ones.

‍

• Group Stage Highlights: Three days of group play sorted out the contenders from the rest. In Group #1, Eclipse Gaming emerged dominant with a perfect 4–0 match record (dropping only one map total). Over in Group #2, Strix Gaming one-upped that by not dropping any maps; a spotless 4–0 and a 12:0 round-for-against tally. Fans quickly took note of Strix’s flawless performance. Group #3 turned out to be a tight race at the top: Sierra7 and ICONICS Esport both finished 4–1, neck and neck in points and round wins. Sierra7 clinched the #1 spot thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker, proving their mettle early. And in Group #4, Xtreme Esports lived up to their name by absolutely steamrolling the opposition – a perfect 5–0 run without losing a single map (15:0 round count). It’s not often you see that kind of dominance in a group of six teams.
  
  

By the end of the group stage, the field was whittled down to the top 16 squads for the double-elimination playoffs.. We had our favorites: Eclipse, Strix, Sierra7, Xtreme – all group winners – looking strong. But as every esports fan knows, the playoffs can rewrite the script in a hurry.

‍

Playoff Bracket: Upsets, Redemption Arcs, and Rising Stars

‍

The playoff bracket, which ran from July 26 to August 3, delivered all the drama we hoped for. Matches were best-of-five, meaning even lower bracket elimination games had room for momentum swings. Here’s how the action unfolded:

‍

Early Rounds

The quarterfinals saw top seeds largely take care of business. Eclipse Gaming (the #1 overall seed) swept Dynamic Esport 3–0, and Sierra7 likewise dispatched Sugu eSports 3–0 with ease.. Strix Gaming continued their unbeaten streak by beating Xecute Gaming 3–1. One surprise came when underdog P4ND4 upset OUTCASTS NG in a 3–2 nail-biter; an outcome that busted a few brackets. P4ND4’s victory as a 12th seed over the 5th seed was an early reminder that no team could be underestimated.

Quarterfinal to Semifinal Momentum

By Round 2, the heavyweights began to clash. Eclipse faced ICONICS Esport and won 3–1, while Xtreme Esports knocked out the giant-killer P4ND4 3–1. 

On the other side, Sierra7 took on X-Nonagon Esports; a seasoned squad that had survived the “group of death”, and prevailed 3–1. Strix Gaming, still looking formidable, beat Xecute 3–1 to secure the last semifinal spot.

Semifinals – Clash of Titans

The winner bracket semifinals pitted Eclipse vs. Xtreme and Sierra7 vs. Strix, essentially the best of Groups #1/#4 and #3/#2 respectively. Eclipse came out firing on all cylinders and swept Xtreme 3–0, abruptly ending Xtreme’s run.

‍

It was a tough exit for Xtreme, a team that had looked invincible in groups but found out that playoffs are a different beast. The other semi was far more tense: Sierra7 versus Strix had the feel of a finals match. Strix finally bled, dropping maps as Sierra7’s coordinated plays took over. Sierra7 emerged with a 3–1 victory, handing Strix their first match loss of the entire tournament. At this point, Sierra7 and Eclipse, two of Nigeria’s top teams, were set for a Winners Final showdown.

Lower Bracket Drama

Meanwhile, fan-favorites that fell early began fighting through the lower bracket. X-Nonagon Esports in particular, went on a tear after Sierra7 knocked them down. X-Nonagon eliminated Dynamic, Xecute, and even Xtreme Esports in succession. Their 4-1 win over Xtreme was a highlight; a gritty performance that secured X-Nonagon a top-four finish and avenged their group stage loss to Eclipse’s group. Strix Gaming, after the Winners Final setback, also had to regroup in the lower rounds. They took out ICONICS Esport 3–1 and then halted X-Nonagon’s Cinderella run with a clean 3–0 in the Lower Bracket Round 5. That win put Strix into the Lower Bracket Final for one more shot at reaching the grand final.

Sierra7 vs. Eclipse: A Rivalry to Remember

‍

By August 3, only two teams were left standing. Sierra7 and Eclipse Gaming had been on a collision course all tournament long, and their rivalry did not disappoint. These teams already met once in the Winners Final, where Sierra7 handed Eclipse a narrow 3–2 loss in a five-game thriller to send them to the lower bracket (one of the best series we’ve seen – it truly could have gone either way). Eclipse earned their redemption shot by dominating Strix 3–0 in the Lower Final, setting the stage for an epic Grand Final rematch.

‍

Regional Finals: One Last Showdown for the Lagos Ticket

‍

The Grand Final was played as a best-of-seven series, with Sierra7 as the upper-bracket finalist enjoying a 1–0 map advantage going in. Even with that small head start, nobody expected an easy ride – and indeed, the final turned into a barnburner.

‍

Sierra7 and Eclipse traded blows across the first few maps. Each Hardpoint hill and each Search & Destroy round felt like a championship point. At one stage, Eclipse Gaming fought back to even the series score in maps, erasing Sierra7’s initial advantage. The crowd (and yes, myself included) was in awe as clutch plays came from both sides: Eclipse’s slayer players were racking up kills on the respawn modes, while Sierra7’s tactical discipline shone in Search & Destroy. It all culminated in a final Control map that had everyone holding their breath.

‍

In the end, Sierra7 clinched the Grand Final with a 4–3 scoreline. That 4-3 tells you just how razor-thin the margin was. Technically, Sierra7 won three maps to Eclipse’s three, but the upper-bracket bonus map was the difference-maker. Without it, we would have needed a tiebreaker map to decide the champion; it was that close. Sierra7’s captain and squad kept their composure under unbelievable pressure, and it paid off. For the second year in a row, Sierra7 are Nigeria’s regional champions, once again earning the right to represent Naija on the continental stage.

‍

When the final kill was recorded, the celebration from Sierra7 was massive. You could feel the emotion even through the screen. This victory had been months in the making, and Sierra7’s players knew what it meant: they’re headed to Lagos for the Carry1st Africa Cup Grand Finals, and they’ll go there as the pride of Nigeria.

‍

What’s Next: Sierra7 Joins Africa’s Elite in Lagos

‍

Nigeria’s regional final was the last stop on the road to the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 Grand Finals, and it certainly delivered a grand finish. Now the focus shifts to the big stage. 

‍

The LAN Grand Finals will take place on August 30–31, 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria, where eight of Africa’s best CODM teams will battle not only for the lion’s share of a $15,000 prize pool but also for a spot in the CODM World Championship 2025. It doesn’t get bigger than that: one team will earn the honor to represent the entire continent on the global stage.

‍

By conquering the Nigerian qualifier, Sierra7 have punched their ticket to this elite final event. They’ll join the winners from the other regional qualifiers across Africa. Here are the teams slated for Lagos:

• Sierra7 (Nigeria) – The home heroes who just proved themselves in an epic run.
  
  
• ParadoX (South Africa) – Champions of the SA qualifier, known for their discipline and firepower.
  
  
• Aura 233 (Ghana) – The top squad from Ghana, bringing West African flair and strategy.
  
  
• Instinct (North Africa) – A mix of Egyptian and Moroccan talent that dominated the North Africa qualifier.
  
  
• Delta Esports (Kenya) – A Kenyan underdog team that stunned many to win their region (they had a memorable Cinderella run last year and are back for more).
  
  
• Nondescript Gaming (Uganda) – Don’t be fooled by the name; this Ugandan team turned plenty of heads on their way to qualification.
  
  
• Sage Gaming (Francophone West Africa) – Hailing from the Cameroon/Ivory Coast/Senegal region, they proved to be the best in Francophone West Africa.
  
  
• Trinity eSports (Wildcard) – A wildcard entrant representing the “rest of Africa,” showing that great teams can come from anywhere.
  
  
  

Come the end of August, Lagos will transform into an esports battleground. The atmosphere is expected to be electric. It’s truly going to be a landmark moment for African esports.

Final Thoughts

The Nigeria qualifier gave us everything we love about competitive gaming: underdog stories, fierce rivalries, and moments of pure clutch genius. Sierra7’s triumph was hard-earned and well-deserved. They had to overcome early setbacks (even a loss in groups) and take down a very capable Eclipse Gaming squad in not one but two high-pressure matches. That journey has no doubt battle-tested them for what’s to come.

‍

As a fan, it’s incredibly satisfying to see a team like Sierra7 get another shot at continental glory. Last year they fell short in the semis; this year they look even more determined to make Nigeria proud. Of course, the competition in Lagos will be intense. Every regional champion will come with their own legacy and hunger to win. But if the Nigeria qualifiers are any indication, Sierra7 won’t back down from any fight.

Mark your calendars for August 30–31. Eight teams, one trophy, and a ticket to the World Championship on the line; the stakes have never been higher for African Call of Duty: Mobile. All of Africa will soon find out if Sierra7 can carry the hopes of a nation to the ultimate victory. One thing’s for sure: if they play with the same heart and tenacity we saw in the Nigeria finals, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with at the Carry1st Africa Cup Grand Finals. Game on!

‍