Bajijr, birth name Elisha emerged as one of the talented FC24 contenders who participated in the global ENPFL tournament, securing his spot in the global finals.

EA Sports teamed up with Integral to organize registration for the regional qualifiers of the eNFPL in Nigeria where twenty players from all the regional clubs qualified to compete in the final in Lagos.

Bajijr’s prowess on the virtual field has captivated audiences, establishing him as a force to be reckoned with in the NPFL and Esports in Nigeria, here is what he had to say about his remarkable journey so far.

Question: How did you develop your FIFA skills to a professional level? Was there a specific training pattern you followed?

Firstly, I started off learning people better than me. People with a higher skill level than I had at the time I started. I played games every day and I still do up till now, I play for at least 6 hours a day and watch FIFA content.

Question: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your journey as an Esports player, and how did you overcome them?

One of the problems I faced initially was not having a console. I had to learn most of what I knew at the time by playing at paid game centers.  Another challenge was hitting a stumbling block where as a player you feel as though you can’t get better but in actuality, you can. So yeah I got a gaming laptop and advice from my team which includes my brother and my manager.

Question: The esports scene in Africa is rapidly growing. What are your thoughts on this growth, and how do you see yourself contributing to it?

I am very happy about the growth, this is the biggest the esports scene has ever been. I believe I and my fellow gaming colleagues have played a huge role in it. By turning up for competitions and big events, making events like this a big deal. For example, Integral last year was a big tournament and this year it’s a lot bigger with EA recognizing Nigeria and giving us a slot in the FC World Championship.

Question: Balancing competitive gaming with other aspects of life can be tough. How do you manage your time and maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Recently I started going to the gym, which I was advised to do by some of my fellow gamers saying it helps the brain stay young and active. Right now I’m still a second-year student at Unilag studying computer science, so I have to attend classes, read, and learn new programming languages. It’s been tough but I’ve been doing well regardless, allocating the right amount of time for games and the right amount for other things, but games still get a huge chunk of my time.

Question: The eNPFL offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional football and Esports. What are your thoughts on this collaboration, and do you see it influencing the future of football in Nigeria?

The collaboration is a wonderful one, it helps increase the engagements with fans, let’s say for example, I play for sporting Lagos, those watching from Lagos will be on my side, and that goes for other clubs as well. It also helps identify upcoming gamers and make them believe they can get to that stage and envision themselves as winners.

Question: Congratulations on reaching the eNPFL grand finals! How does it feel to represent your club Sporting Lagos in the first-ever official FIFA esports tournament by the NPFL?

It feels so wonderful playing for the club where I stay. I could say at least there’s a connection sort of. 

Question: The competition is fierce! Can you walk us through your pre-game routine or any strategies you’ve developed to stay focused and at the top of your game throughout the tournament?

Firstly, before every competition I don’t eat heavily, maybe an apple could do. I try to warm my fingers up by pressing some skill move combinations on the pad. Then to keep my brain sharp I encourage myself with things like “you can do this”. Then just before the game starts I put on my headphones or AirPods to block out external noise and stay locked in.

Question: Many young gamers aspire to go pro. What advice would you give them on the skills and dedication needed to succeed in Esports?

They’ll need to make sure they love the sport, and that they love playing games because, at some point in their career, they’ll feel like quitting, however, that’s just when things are about to get better. Your mentality has to be strong and you’ll need to make sure you’re ready to drop your shoulders and learn.

Question: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals in the world of Esports? Are there any specific tournaments you dream of competing in?

Well, I’d love to be on the biggest stages which are the eChampions League, and World Championship but most importantly, represent my country Nigeria at the eWorld Cup.

Question: Beyond competitive gaming, do you have any plans to create content or get involved in the broader gaming community?

Yes, very soon I’ll start pushing out gaming content but that won’t stop me from going to competitions at all. I’d also love to venture into teaching the game, that’s how much I love the sport.

Follow Bajijr on Instagram to get access to his gaming content whenever he starts putting it out. We at the Nexal Gaming Company are rooting for him and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Last Updated on May 31, 2024