Hamza Moosa is preparing for a defining moment in his competitive career as he sets his sights on lifting the 2026 Telkom VS Gaming eDiski title.
The fourth edition of the Telkom VS Gaming eDiski Championship officially gets underway at Comic Con Cape Town 2026 from 30 April to 02 May, where the country’s top EA Sports FC (eDiski) players will battle to be crowned national champion.
Moosa’s journey into esports began during the 2020 national lockdown with humble beginnings.
“When I first started gaming, I had a very small Samsung TV with a PlayStation 3. Playing against them was really easy and that’s when I decided to compete in my first professional tournament.”
Moosa’s playing ability immediately showed in his early playing days. At just 14 years old, he pushed a seasoned Orlando Pirates esports player to penalties in the quarterfinals of that event – an experience that changed everything.
“This made me realise the talent that I had in gaming and that I could actually make something out of it,” he says.
His rise through school competitions, HSEL structures and national eDiski tournaments has not been without challenges. Early in his competitive journey, confidence proved difficult to manage.
“I was always really difficult on myself and defeats in tournaments would really affect me negatively. A particularly painful moment came after qualifying for my first national grand finals but exiting in the group stage. This moment really hurt me because I felt like I let myself down and all the people who backed me.”
Those setbacks, however, helped shape the player he is today.
“Competing at this level has 100% changed my approach to the game. I’ve grown as a player and more importantly mentally.”
Now recognised as one of the toughest EA Sports FC competitors in the country, Hamza says returning to major finals feels different.
“Before, it felt like a crazy win – almost unreal. Now I actually understand the grind behind it. This one feels less like luck and more like skill paying off.”
The transition from online competition to live stage play remains one of the most exciting aspects of the Telkom VS Gaming experience.
“With a live crowd, you feel every moment more intensely. The energy, the noise, the reactions – it can either shake you or push you to another level. For me, it’s motivation.”
Moosa also gives credit to Telkom VS Gaming with helping shape his professional mindset.
“Platforms like VS Gaming are extremely important. It gives players an opportunity to show their skills and helps players get ready to one day compete overseas—it certainly helped me.”
Still in his final year of school, Hamza balances academics, faith, family life and training while continuing to represent South Africa internationally.
