Bear Clan’s path to the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 victory was filled with challenges — from limited team size to nerves under pressure. Yet, the Egyptian squad overcame it all, emerging as champions of Africa’s premier Call of Duty: Mobile tournament.
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‍The just concluded Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 Grand Finals saw Bear Clan rise to the occasion, claiming the title in dominant fashion and cementing their place as Africa’s first-ever representatives at the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship. But their journey to glory wasn’t smooth sailing. The team faced unique obstacles throughout their campaign, and their triumph is a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and sheer determination.

As the team captain, Device, revealed during a candid conversation, the road to the top wasn’t an easy one. From starting with a small roster to dealing with the intense pressure of high-stakes matches, Bear Clan faced challenges that tested every aspect of their team’s resolve.
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A Small Team with Big Dreams‍

The first major challenge that Bear Clan had to contend with was the team size. Unlike some of their competitors, who boasted a full roster, Bear Clan began their journey with just five players. Team captain, Device, opened up about the team’s hurdles with size and the inherent quality:
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“Our biggest challenge was that we were only five. We didn’t have enough top-level players in Egypt to form a larger team. That created a lot of availability issues.”
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Getting all five players together for practice sessions was a constant struggle. “It’s hard to get five people online at the same time every day, all week long [and that’s a basic necessity when you’re preparing for a tournament like this]. We didn’t have the luxury of a full team, so we really had to make do with what we had,” said Device.
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This smaller roster meant that the team was often spread thin, with each player needing to pull their weight in training and preparation. However, Bear Clan made this limitation work by focusing on quality rather than quantity. They turned their focus to efficiency in training, making sure every moment online counted, no matter the size of the squad.
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Overcoming Consistency and Communication Hurdles‍

The lack of a full roster wasn’t the only challenge that Bear Clan faced. Consistency became a major factor in their success. The challenge of maintaining consistent performance loomed large for Bear Clan throughout the tournament. With just five active players, it became crucial for everyone to stay committed, grinding and practicing regularly. But consistency can be tough to maintain, especially when you're faced with the risk of burnout.
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As Device put it, “One of the biggest things was consistency. You can’t afford to have some people slugging it out and others not, especially when you’re down to only five. Everyone has to put in the work [one person not doing their part could affect the whole team]. There’s no room for slack, and that’s something we struggled with at times.”
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The squad had to balance their personal lives, including studies and work, while dedicating themselves to this tournament. Despite these challenges, Bear Clan’s ability to stay focused and committed to their goals set them apart. “Communication was key,” Device said. “We had to be on the same page at all times. One slip in communication, and everything can turn into chaos.”
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The team knew that, above all else, their strength lay in their ability to communicate well under pressure. Ultimately, Bear Clan’s focus on clear and constant communication proved to be the bedrock of their success.
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The Pressure of the Grand Final: Stress and Nerves

As the tournament progressed and Bear Clan advanced through the rounds, the pressure of performing in front of a live crowd intensified. By the time the team reached the Grand Final, they were not only fighting for the trophy but also carrying the weight of expectation.
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Thus came another obstacle that many top players know too well: the pressure of performing on the big stage.
 

“When you get on stage, everyone is scared,” admitted Device. “What will happen if I lose? What happens if I win? What happens if I choke? It’s all about stress. That’s the major issue we had to deal with, not just me, but all of us.”
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The stress of competing at such a high level, with the entire tournament hinging on every play, weighed heavily on the players. But despite these mental challenges, Bear Clan found ways to manage their emotions, eventually sealing the 4–1 victory over Paradox to take home the $7,500 first-place prize and the continent’s first-ever spot at the CODM World Championship.
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Paradox: The Toughest Rivals

The tournament was filled with rivalries, and none were more intense than the one between Bear Clan and Paradox, South Africa’s national champions. Having previously beaten Paradox 3–1 on Day 1, Bear Clan knew that their opponents would come back hungry for revenge in the Grand Final. Paradox did not disappoint, pushing Bear Clan to the limit in what was one of the most exciting matches of the tournament.
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Device admitted that Paradox was by far the toughest challenge they faced: “They gave us a very hard time, and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. They are one of the best teams in Africa, and they pushed us to our limits. But at the end of the day, only one team can win.”
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The mental fortitude to stay calm in the face of such a fierce rival was one of the defining factors of Bear Clan’s journey. Their tenacity made for an unforgettable story, but in the end, it was Bear Clan’s experience and unity that saw them through.
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The Road to Victory: A Test of Will

From the grueling qualifiers to the nerve-wracking Grand Final, Bear Clan’s journey was defined by challenges that tested every aspect of their team dynamics. From struggling to find players to facing down intense pressure in front of thousands of spectators, Bear Clan overcame it all.
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Despite the obstacles, the Egyptian squad kept its eyes on the prize. To boot, their triumph at the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 isn’t just a personal win, as they now carry the torch for African esports on the global stage.
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As Bear Clan looks toward their next challenge at the 2025 Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship, their journey continues to inspire players across Africa.
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“We’ve come a long way, but this is just the beginning,” Device concluded. “We’re ready to take on the world and show what Africa is made of.”