MSSA’s 2024 Online SA National Championships

Neisha (Rose) Khan, captain of BellaTrixes, lead her team to victory.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) held its annual South African National Online Championships on 7 December 2024.

Fired on by the successes of the 2024 Protea Esports Team, many more athletes entered in order to begin their chance of qualifying for the 2025 National Team Trials.

Before the start of play, all athletes were reminded that the top three, or top twenty percent, whichever is greater, automatically qualify for National Team Trials (NTT).

However, it was also stated a couple of times that in order for players to enter the much coveted NTT, that all entrants have  to have a valid South African passport. No passport – no entry!

Needless to say, teams consisting of athletes that represented South Africa in the online qualifiers, IESF’s African Esports Championships (AEC24) and in IESF’s World Esports Championships (WEC24) all demonstrated their newly honed skills to dominate the titles in which they played.

With athletes competing in the online championships from seven of the nine provinces, the championship was hard fought, and no quarter was given.

Of special interest was the female Mobile Legends Bang Bang Team, BellaTrixes (of Maverick Esports) totally dominated their division. Under the skillful leadership of Neisha Khan the team earned itself National Colours as well as a berth in the 2025 National Team Trials.

Lamisah Manuel

Much is expected of BellaTrixes in 2025 as their standard is head and shoulders above the other female teams that competed in MSSA’s 2024 championships. However, it must be remembered that between now and the NTT in March, there are another three championships in which teams may qualify.