Kenya's Esports star Bilal clinches historic victory at African Championship in Nigeria

Kenyan esports prodigy Bilal Mohamed secured his place in history by winning the gamrX African Championship held in Lagos, Nigeria.

This victory marks the first international esports trophy win for a Kenyan, heralding a new era for the nation's burgeoning esports scene.

The 25 year old beat tournament favorite Chukwudi Okoli who is also the reigning Nigerian champion 3-2 in the hotly contested final of the Street Fighter 6 game.

Bilal had won the first two sets and was on his way to a dominant victory but Okoli came back to tie the final at 2-2 but the Kenyan star recomposed himself to claim the final and decisive set. 

Reflecting on his win, Mohamed shared, “It feels great to win this championship being my first time traveling for an international esports tournament. It was very nerve-wracking, especially in the final where I threw away a comfortable lead but I am happy I was able to clutch it out in the end.”

The President of Esports Kenya, Ronny Lusigi, praised Mohamed’s groundbreaking achievement.

He emphasized the significance of this victory for Kenya, stating, “Kudos to Bilal for making history. His victory signifies the talent that we have as a nation when it comes to esports. As a federation, we shall continue to support our players to attend and compete in international tournaments.”

Lusigi also called on corporate bodies to recognize and support the rapidly growing esports sector, which he believes holds transformative potential for the country’s youth.

In addition to Mohamed’s triumph, Kenya also showed commendable performances in other categories.

The country finished fourth in the PUBG Mobile category, and FC24’s representative Leone Mwaura reached the last 16 in his category.

The championship witnessed participation from several African nations including Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali, South Africa, and hosts Nigeria.

This diverse participation underscores the growing popularity and competitive nature of esports across the continent.

Bilal Mohamed's victory not only places Kenya on the international esports map but also inspires many young gamers in the country to pursue their passion in the gaming world.

As the esports community continues to expand, Mohamed’s success story will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of possibility for aspiring esports athletes all over Africa.