Attention South African gamers! The African Confederation of Esports (ACES) has officially invited Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) to participate in the very first Africa eFootball Cup 2025. This exciting tournament will take place in the Kingdom of Morocco from January 15 to January 17, 2026. The official game for this competition is eFootball Mobile.
Because this invitation came with very short notice, MSSA has had to arrange the National Team Trials quickly. The deadline for national federations to register their athletes is Monday, December 15, 2025. Therefore, MSSA must hold the National Team Trials no later than Saturday, December 13, 2025. It is important to note that these trials will be conducted entirely online.
Due to the tight schedule, MSSA has decided to open the trials to all Registered Players who are fully paid-up and are 18 years of age or older. This gives many players a chance to try out for the national team.
Selection Criteria and Entry Conditions
MSSA will select the athletes based on two main factors. First, the player must confirm they can attend the events, which include test matches and other scheduled matches. Second, the player must provide clearance from stimulants, ensuring they follow all anti-doping rules.
The conditions for entry are as follows:
- The entry fee is R100.00 per Registered Player.
- Only fully-paid-up Registered Players are allowed to participate.
- Entries for the National Team Trials must be submitted by midnight on December 12, 2025.
- To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document provided by MSSA.
The entry form can be found on Google Drive. Clubs are required to download the entry form, fill it out completely, and email it to Mind Sports South Africa at .
Entrants must submit copies of their valid Passports along with their other documentation to the National Team Manager once they meet the selection criteria mentioned above.
Required Documentation and Trial Schedule
There are different forms depending on the player’s age. Players who are 18 years or older can find the necessary forms on the official MSSA link. Players who are under 18 years of age (minors) must use a different set of forms.
The documents required for the selection process are:
- A copy of the player’s South African Passport.
- A signed Senior or Junior Contract. Please note that if the player is under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the contract.
- A copy of an Unabridged Birth Certificate for all players under the age of 18.
The National Team Trials will officially begin at 10:00 and end at 19:00. However, Registered Players are expected to be online and ready by 9:00. MSSA officials will be on duty throughout the day to assist players with any questions or technical issues they might have.
Picture courtesy from KONAMI.
Additional Reading and Updates
For those interested in more information, there are several updates available regarding the 2026 calendar of events. Recent news highlights the Protea Female Counter Strike 2 Esports Team winning AEC24, becoming champions of all of Africa. There is also a story about how that team was forged in battle.
Affiliation procedures are available for both private clubs and school clubs looking to affiliate for the 2026 season. Information regarding the 2024 Management Board Awards is also accessible.
There is exciting news in the world of Backgammon as well. A South African player has reached the World Championship Final in Monte Carlo, inspiring the nation. MSSA’s blog page has also achieved a high ranking, placing 9th in South Africa. The board is currently calling for volunteers to assist with various activities.
BRICS Esports Championships Coverage
There has been significant activity regarding the 2025 BRICS Esports Championships. The event took place from May 28 to June 3, 2025, and was hosted by ReSF in Tekken. MSSA’s Protea Esports Team for Tekken 8 advanced in the championships held in Moscow.
During the championships, there were moments of breaking the glass ceiling on May 31, 2025. The final day of the BRICS Esports Championships was on June 1, 2025. Player Luay finished in fifth place in his group and faced the toughest matches of his life.
MSSA held National Team Trials for the 2025 BRICS Esports Championships for TEKKEN 8 on April 13, 2025. Sydney ‘KYōi’ Wood won both hearts and minds during the event. UNIFIR3 streamed the 2025 BRICS Esports Championships on May 31 and June 1, 2025.
Colours, Events, and Fees
Regarding Colours for 2024, almost half of the awards were given to female gamers. There is also a list of athletes who earned Senior Provincial Colours in 2024.
Several events are scheduled, including the 6th Western Cape Online Championships on February 22, 2025, and the 24th Western Cape Championships on May 31, 2025. There is a last chance to qualify for the BRICS Esports Championships at the 14th Provincial Online Championships on April 5, 2025. The Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships were held on January 25, 2025.
A reminder has been issued for the 5th South African Schools Online National Championships on June 28, 2025. MSSA runs various types of esports events. MSSA has advised on its affiliation and registration fees for the 2024/2025 season. Information is available on hosting official Regional Championships.
IESF and International Events
The IESF African Regional Championships took place, with Day 2 on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 17:00. The African Regional Playoffs started recently for MSSA. In the IESF AEC, after an initial loss, South Africa beat Madagascar.
The Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title battled against Namibia (AEC25). The final results for the IESF African Regional Championships were announced on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Namibia crumbled during the competition.
Rowell Pillay replaced Neisha Khan as captain of the female Protea MLBB esports team. South Africa conquered all in MLBB. South Africa was granted a victory after Namibia was disqualified. South Africa took to the field in PUBGM on July 28, 2025, at 17:00.
South Africa battled both Namibia and Congo on July 22, 2025. South Africa played against Madagascar on July 26, 2025, at 14:00, and against Namibia on July 25, 2025, at 21:00. The goddess Nike smiled on the team again.
The Titans met when South Africa played Madagascar on July 23, 2023. Victoria cum audacia! South Africa won! After victory over Madagascar, the team moved on to Namibia. There was victory without losses. The WAYLANDER stream covered the IESF Southern African Regional Championships.
IESF reported that 136 nations registered for the IESF 2025 World Esports Championships. IESF announced proposed game titles for the 17th World Esports Championships in 2025. There was an official statement on WEC24 Prize Pool Allocation. MSSA confirmed its entry to WEC25.
Official game titles for the 2025 IESF WEC25 were announced. The South African Proteas took on four African countries in MLBB on April 12, 2025. SA Team Trials were held. WEC25 is a test of character. The Female Protea Esports Team arrived safely in Malaysia. The Female Protea Team played against Argentina.
There was joy unrefined! The action was available to watch. We all stand together! After defeating Madagascar, the South African Female Proteas took on Mauritius and Ghana. The FHE eFootball World Tournament 2025 is open for sign-ups. ReSF hosted the BRICS Esports Championship 2025 in Tekken.
South Africa played against Ivory Coast in the PUBGM title. A test match was held between South Africa and Mauritius in the MLBB title. Rose is no wilting bloom—the result of SA vs Mauritius. The South African Female Protea took on Mauritius and Madagascar in MLBB on May 1, 2025. The South African Female Team emerged triumphant.
The South African Proteas marched on to fight Mauritius in MLBB on April 13, 2025, at 15:00. They took on Congo in MLBB on April 13, 2025, at 13:30. South Africa trounced Botswana in MLB.
Legal, Nominations, and Other News
Regarding legal matters, there is information on privacy and who is looking after the children. National Team Trials for eFootball Mobile are scheduled for December 13, 2025. MSSA events count for National Team Trials for the 17th IESF World Championships (WEC25).
Nominations are needed for the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Nominations are required by midnight on November 19, 2025, for MSSA’s Management Board Awards. There will be a 2025 MSSA Phygital EBASS National Championships from November 19 to 22, 2025.
Member clubs are invited to post articles on the MSSA blog. Results are available for the Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships held on January 25, 2025. To qualify for National Team Trials to represent South Africa, players must participate in the trials.
Esports titles have been selected for all MSSA’s Premier Provincial and National Championships for 2025. Titles have also been selected for all MSSA’s 2025 High School and Primary School Championships and leagues, as well as for all MSSA’s 2025 Student Championships.
Transfer season runs from November 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. WADA’s 2025 Prohibited List and revised TDSSA are available. There is a job opening for Legal Counsel at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team in Brackley.
Other news includes a chess story: ‘From Georgia with Love – 2018 FIDE Chess Olympiad’ and ‘World Chess Olympiad in Batumi 2018 – a book by Dr. Lyndon Boauh’. The table tennis rulebook is now available in isiXhosa in the Western Cape.
Other African News
In Benin, the Assemblée Générale Constitutive took place, and the Fédération Béninoise des Sports Électroniques (FBSE) was established. Botswana now has an esports Federation.
