Ninjas in Pyjamas has made a decisive move just ahead of one of the year’s biggest tournaments. After six months with the main roster, Rafael ‘arrozdoce’ Wing Ribeiro has been benched by the Swedish esports organization. Stepping into his place is one of Europe’s most talked about young talents, Kacper ‘xKacpersky’ Gabara, joining NIP on loan from ENCE.
The announcement marks a major shift for NIP’s 2025 Counter Strike journey. Arrozdoce joined the team at the start of the year following a solid run with SAW and quickly became a vital component in NiP’s efforts to stabilize its roster. During his tenure, he also served as a stand in for Audric ‘JACKZ’ Jug, helping the team secure wildcard entries for several important events.
Though his stint began with promise, NIP struggled to find consistent form. A string of underwhelming results in Champion of Champions Tour qualifiers had many questioning the team’s trajectory. However, a late resurgence saw the team qualify for PGL Astana, eventually reaching the playoffs and later winning Fragadelphia Las Vegas in April. That win helped NIP leap into the top 25 of the Valve Regional Standings, reaffirming their competitive presence.
In a statement posted on social media, NIP acknowledged the difficulty of the decision to move arrozdoce to the bench. The team expressed deep gratitude for his contributions, noting that his presence had helped shape the roster’s recent success. The statement ended with well wishes for his next steps in competitive Counter Strike.
Stepping in is xKacpersky, a player with a compelling story of his own. The Polish rifler spent part of 2024 with the Young Ninjas academy team before transitioning to ENCE’s main squad later that year. His rapid development and strong individual performance have made him one of the most watched young players on the European circuit.
His return to the Ninjas umbrella feels like a full circle moment and potentially a strategic masterstroke for the organization. With his aggressive playstyle and prior familiarity with the NIP environment, xKacpersky could be the spark the roster needs heading into IEM Cologne.
The upcoming event will be NIP’s second Tier 1 appearance of 2025 and a crucial moment in the team’s season. Ranked 23rd in the current July Valve Regional Standings, NIP must accumulate more points to solidify its position in the top 32. IEM Cologne will not only serve as a debut for the new roster but also as a litmus test for whether this updated lineup can compete at the highest level consistently.
The timing is significant, too. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Ninjas in Pyjamas, making it one of the oldest and most iconic organizations in esports history. The team still holds the record for the longest LAN win streak with 60 consecutive victories between 2012 and 2013. With xKacpersky in the mix, NIP now looks to craft a new legacy in an evolving competitive scene.
To stay updated on roster changes, major tournaments, and the future of Counter Strike, follow Gaming Moves on Instagram and Facebook.
