Team Vitality makes VALORANT roster change with UNFAKE and kovaQ

Staff Vitality has signed Bartosz ‘UNFAKE’ Bernacki and Blendi ‘kovaQ’ Kovaci for its beginning lineup at VCT EMEA Stage 2.

The 2 gamers have changed the roster’s earlier in-game chief (IGL), Saif ‘Sayf’ Jibraeel, and flex participant, Clément ‘CyvOph’ Millard.

In a statement on X (previously Twitter), the esports organisation defined that the VALORANT roster wanted a brand new IGL after Sayf wished to step down from aggressive play.

“Our focus was to strengthen the construction of the group by discovering an skilled and stabilising In-Sport Chief who may help the roster each out and in of the server,” shared Vitality. “[UNFAKE’s] management, composure, and wealth of expertise made him the proper piece to suit our puzzle.”

Whereas the group initially meant solely to switch Sayf, KovaQ satisfied Vitality of his worth to the beginning lineup throughout tryouts by his ‘efficiency and flexibility.’ The choice to additionally signal KovaQ got here on the expense of CyvOph, who was moved to an inactive place.

“These choices are by no means simple, particularly once they contain a younger participant with clear potential. Nonetheless, we imagine the adjustment will higher serve our objective of reaching VCT Champions,” emphasised the esports organisation.

Staff Vitality was thought-about among the many strongest VALORANT groups in EMEA at first of this yr’s aggressive season. Fuelled by star gamers Nikita ‘Derke’ Sirmitev and Felipe ‘Much less’ Basso, Vitality received VCT EMEA Kickoff and completed fourth place at Masters Bangkok.

For VCT Stage 1, the group signed CyvOph as a promising participant from the tier-2 scene. Nonetheless, the brand new roster didn’t qualify for the continuing Masters Toronto occasion. Equally, Vitality fell brief throughout the Esports World Cup EMEA Qualifier.

UNFAKE started his aggressive VALORANT profession in 2021, taking part in for Invicta Gaming. In December 2024, he was signed by French esports organisation Joblife, beneath which the Polish participant received Stage 1 of VALORANT Challengers 2025 France: Revolution.

Curiously, CyvOph joined Joblife on mortgage till the tip of the Ascension season. His substitute, kovaQ, had been competing for ALTERNATE aTTaX since September 2023. Along with the German esports organisation, kovaQ reached fifth place in final yr’s VALORANT Challengers DACH division.

Each UNFAKE and kovaQ are deliberate to signify Vitality throughout VCT EMEA Stage 2 in June. Nonetheless, the sign-ups nonetheless require approval from Riot and Visas.