Vitality.Bee enters this Summer Split with a revamped roster. The departure of Austrian toplaner Maximilian "Vertigo" Rassi, who joined Beşiktaş Esports in the TCL, and Turkish support Kadir "Fleshy" Kemiksiz, promoted to the main LEC roster, opened the door for Janik "JNX" Bartels’ move down to the LFL as well as the arrival of 24-year-old Jordanian support Waleed "Dekap" Mohammed Ismail.

Leaving Geekay and the Arabian League, Dekap joins the LFL, with VITB currently sitting at 4-4 and struggling to find good form. It’s in this context that Dekap granted us an interview to discuss his move to the LFL, the challenges Arabian League players face in reaching the LFL and LEC, the players he sees making it to the LEC, and Geekay’s run at the EMEA Masters Spring 2024.

*Interview conducted before the matches against Karmine Corp Blue and Joblife

You’ve just joined Vitality.Bee in the LFL. How’s the transition from Geekay to Vitality, and how are you adapting to life in France?

Waleed "Dekap" Mohammed Ismail: "That’s a good move for me. It gets me closer to playing in the LEC and reaching the top level. I’m really happy to be joining Vitality.Bee.

So far, the split hasn’t been going that well—you’re 3-4 with two losses in a row. Are there issues with communication or playstyle in the team?

Dekap: For sure, there are some issues. We’re working on our weaknesses, and I hope we can secure a spot in the playoffs. If we manage that, we’ll be in a much better position when the playoffs come around.

In your first matches in the LFL, you had strong series with aggressive plays and often survived low HP. Is that the playstyle and tempo you aim for in your games?

Dekap: Not always, it really depends on the game and the opponents. Sometimes you just need to skill-check the enemy team and see how they play.

Do you feel that Geekay’s run at the 2024 EMEA Masters Spring changed people’s perception of the Arabian League?

Dekap: Of course. I think reaching the semi-finals as a team from the Arabian League was a shock for everyone else. People often think the Arabian League is weak, but we have some really talented players

Do you think being Jordanian or from the Arabian League has held back your career? Could you have reached the LEC or bigger ERL teams sooner?

Dekap: I don’t think it’s because I’m from the Arabian League, but rather that I’m not living in Europe. Visa issues for players outside Europe can make teams hesitant to bring them in.

Do you have in mind any Arabian League players who you think deserve—or would have deserved—a chance in the LEC?

Dekap: I think Giyuu (Ahmad Charif) deserved a chance in the LEC. We have some promising talents like Boda (Mohamed Yahia), who might make it, but based on individual skill, Giyuu really deserved it.

You made a strong impression at the EMEA Masters. Do you think you could have gone further than the semifinals and maybe even won the trophy?

Dekap: We had a really strong chance to reach the finals and even win that split, but in tournaments like EMEA Masters, once you’re in the knockout stage, it’s not just preparation—it’s also about luck and how you perform on the day. If you have a bad day, you’re out. There’s no second chance, so you just need to make sure your bad day isn’t too bad.

Whether it was in Summer 2024, Winter, or Spring 2025, Geekay couldn’t replicate what you achieved before. Why do you think that is?

Dekap: That roster gave everything they could in Spring 2024, and we had to make changes—but it just didn’t work out. That’s it. It simply didn’t work out.

Is there a champion you feel especially comfortable with or that represents you the most?

Dekap: I would say Pyke.

Do you think you’ll join the LEC one day? Is that a goal you’re currently pursuing?

Dekap: Of course. Anyone in the ERL aiming to go full-time pro should have the LEC and Worlds as their goal. I’ve been dreaming of reaching the LEC and playing at Worlds, and I’m sure I can make it—I’m giving it my all.