Senegal’s quiet yet dominant Call of Duty: Mobile squad Sage Gaming has secured a spot among Africa’s elite. Now they’re heading to Lagos with national pride on their backs and an unpredictable playstyle that just might upend the competition.

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The Carry1st Africa Cup Grand Finals is upon us, taking over Lagos on August 30–31. Eight of Africa’s best mobile esports teams will clash for glory in Nigeria’s bustling capital – with a $15,000 prize pool and a ticket to the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2025 up for grabs. Sage Gaming, hailing from Senegal, earned their place by dominating the Francophone West Africa qualifier. They swept through regional opponents and clinched the championship with a commanding 4–1 victory over Cameroon’s Jblack Team. 

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Now, Senegal’s champions have arrived in Lagos with one goal: to prove that their “quiet” reputation masks a truly world-class team. We spoke with Sage Gaming’s captain, known as Nolimit, about what representing Senegal means to his squad, their approach to the game, and how they bond beyond the battlefield.
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A Huge Honor Representing Senegal

Carrying the flag for Senegal on such a big stage is a responsibility Sage Gaming embraces with pride. “It’s a really big opportunity for us,” Nolimit says, his excitement evident. He knows an entire nation is cheering them on from back home. Far from feeling pressure, the team is channeling that support as motivation to perform. Senegal is not traditionally seen as an African esports powerhouse and that’s exactly why Sage Gaming is eager to make a statement. Nolimit hopes a strong showing by his squad will “show Africa that Senegal has the potential to be here,” inspiring fans back home and putting his country’s CODM scene on the map. Representing Senegal isn’t just about personal glory for these players; it’s about waving the green flag proudly and proving that talent can emerge from every corner of Africa.

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Biggest Rival: Sierra7 (Nigeria)

Every underdog has a giant they dream of toppling. For Sage Gaming, the team to beat is Sierra7, Nigeria’s reigning champion and the hometown favorite in Lagos. Sierra7 comes in as back-to-back Nigerian champs, known for their aggression and clutch gene that make them a formidable foe. “They’ll have the crowd behind them and a lot of experience,” Nolimit notes. Facing the host nation’s best would be the ultimate test – and Sage Gaming wants that test. There’s a competitive glint in Nolimit’s eye when he talks about Sierra7. 

The prospect of a Senegal vs. Nigeria showdown fires up the team; they know they’d have to withstand a loud crowd and an opponent that has never lost a map in national finals. That challenge only fuels Sage’s determination. If the bracket pits them against Sierra7, Sage Gaming plans to be ready: they’ve studied Sierra7’s fast and confident playstyle, and they believe they can match it. “We respect them, but we’re not afraid,” Nolimit says with a grin. Fans can bet a clash between Senegal’s dark horses and Nigeria’s titans would make for one of the finals’ most electric matchups.
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Adaptable and Unpredictable Playstyle

How did Sage Gaming go from an under-the-radar team to a continental finalist? By playing a style that keeps opponents guessing. Throughout the qualifiers, Sage’s teamwork and aggressive tactics were standout qualities. They seized map control and never let go, often overwhelming teams before those opponents could find their footing. 

Yet, as dominant as they were regionally, Nolimit emphasizes that adaptability is their real secret weapon. “Finals are about reading the game quickly and staying unpredictable,” he explains. In practice, Sage Gaming doesn’t stick to a single rigid strategy. They’ll play fast and furious when they sense an opening, but they can also slow things down and play methodically if needed. 

“Adapt your playstyle to the opponent… always keep them guessing,” Nolimit says of his philosophy. This chameleon-like approach makes Sage a dangerous opponent – you can’t be sure what tactics they’ll throw at you.

In their regional final, they confidently outgunned Jblack Team from the start and adjusted on the fly whenever the Cameroonian side tried something new. By the time Sage closed out that series 4–1, it was clear they could dictate the tempo of a match. Now, against even tougher African competition, Sage Gaming will lean on that adaptive style to navigate each round. They aim to be the team that figures you out before you figure them out. If they succeed, this “quiet” Senegalese squad might just make the loudest noise in Lagos.
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The Bottomline

Team Sage Gaming exudes a quiet confidence as they step into the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 Grand Finals. They know many have underestimated them and they’re eager to prove the doubters wrong. Representing Senegal on this stage is an immense honor that they refuse to take lightly. Nolimit and his crew are determined to justify the faith of the fans back home by giving a performance that earns Senegal respect in the African esports community. 

With one eye on formidable rivals like Nigeria’s Sierra7 and a flexible, all-weather game plan in their pocket, Sage Gaming has all the ingredients to be the tournament’s biggest surprise. Their mantra of adaptability and unpredictability could be the X-factor that tilts matches in their favor.

Off the stage, Sage’s players remain humble and grounded; a band of friends who remember to enjoy the journey. On the stage, though, they are fierce competitors ready to leave it all in the server. As the Grand Finals kick off in Lagos, don’t sleep on this Senegalese squad. Whoever thought they were “quiet” might be in for a shock, because Sage Gaming is here to roar. If they can pull off a historic run and perhaps even claim the championship, it would send a powerful message: that top-tier esports talent can come from anywhere in Africa, including the land of Teranga. Sage Gaming has already made Senegal proud; now it’s time to see if they can make them champions. Game on.