Omar Interview at TI 2025: “If we play to our level, we will beat anyone”

Omar “OmaR” Moughrabi prepares to walk out on stage at The International 2025 alongside Nigma Galaxy as they go in search of glory.

Nigma Galaxy managed to scrape into the playoffs of The International 2025 after a win over Aurora Gaming in the elimination phase. But now, the team need to hold strong to get themselves through to the grand finals. However, standing in their way at the first step is BetBoom Team.

We caught up Omar “OmaR” Moughrabi, Nigma’s position 4 support, to find out about the team’s feelings going into the playoffs.

Hi, Omar, and congrats on the playoffs spot. It's amazing to see Nigma back in the thick of things. Can you talk to us a bit about how things fell into place at the right moment? It has been a long year of ups and downs, and we were not sure we would see you at TI. So, how did "the stars align"?

I think it's definitely been a rollercoaster of a year. We have had a lot of setbacks and a lot of good moments. We have had a really big issue with consistency. Every time we become a bit good, we always fall back into our old bad habits. We improve a bit, then we throw it away instantly between tournaments. We never had constant improvements. It was always like this, and it's the biggest thing that holds us back. We also had to change a player mid-season. I wouldn't say it affected us negatively in any way, or positively, because it wasn't really the problem anyway. Just the team itself had the same issues.

Fortunately for us, before this tournament, we've had a very good talk and we improved our mindset, before our gameplay. I would say mindset is what changed us.

You are also one of the teams that did a bit of "musical chairs" with roles of your players. Can you talk to us a bit about how No!ob ended up playing in the offlane?

First, speaking about Tony "No!ob" Assaf as a person, he's a very nice person, a good person to talk to, easy to work with, and overall, he's a good player. One of the best players I know. Regarding his change of role, I believe I had a very big part in convincing him to play offlane because I really wanted to play with him. At first, he was supposed to play mid. We then talked to Nigma and figured, "Why not? Let's give it a try."

I think he adapted very quickly. And he's a very hardworking player. He spammed the s**t out of pubs. You see him now as a casual offlaner. It's not like some guy who changed the role a year ago.

You made your breakout two years ago when you were at TI with PSG.Quest. How did everything change for you as a person and as a player getting to play with Nigma and with these legends next to you?

I feel like getting to play with Nigma is such a blessing for me as a person before being a player. These guys are insane people. They're really good people. And in terms of Dota, you said it yourself, legends. They have s**t tons of experience. I'm learning a lot from them. I'm gaining a lot. And, so far, it has only been good for me. Kuro is helping everyone, not only me. He is just a legend.

Do you think that this meta that brought these very late and long games is helpful to you guys? Is it something you like, or would you prefer for it to be gone soon?

I think we are a bit of a weird team in a way that we have had games where we run down our enemies. And we have our 60-minute games. I cannot tell which kind of team we are because we can do both.

When it comes to the meta, I think Kuro has an insane read on that always. He is always faster than other people. We always know what's coming ahead of time, and I think that is one of our main advantages. We are aware of what's happening, and we are never surprised by new things.

Of course, not never, but rarely. I think any meta is good for us because we always have that advantage on other teams. The quick read and the understanding. We have really smart people in the team, which helps us in any meta situation.

You started the Group Stage with a victory over BetBoom, and you are now pitted against them again for your first series in the playoffs. How do you see the matchup now?

I would say in terms of confidence, we are confident, because at the end of the day, we know it's up to us. It's not about our enemies. It's about how we play. Because I believe if we play well and to our level, we will beat anyone, not only BetBoom.

What's the best memory you have from this season, from this year with Nigma?

It's a bit hard for me to think of one. But it would probably be actually reaching The International. Qualifying to TI is such a big leap and achievement. I would call that the best memory.

I hope we all see you and Nigma making the full run in the playoffs! Thanks for coming to talk to us, and if you want to say a few words to your fans, please go ahead.

Shout-out to all the Nigma fans. You guys are the best. Thank you for all the support and cheers. I hope you keep rooting for us and supporting us throughout the International, and I hope we will not disappoint you. Let's go, Nigma!