NiKo Talks About G2 Adding a Dedicated AWPer to Its CS:GO Team Next Year

G2 Esports seems to be eyeing a talented marksmen.

Aditya Singh Rawat
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<div class="paragraphs"><p>NiKo Talks About G2 Adding Dedicated AWPer Next Year</p></div>
NiKo Talks About G2 Adding Dedicated AWPer Next Year

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Highlights
NiKo has revealed that G2 Esports will be adding a dedicated AWPer to its CS:GO roster next year and he is looking forward to it.
This comes amidst reports that G2 Esports is in negotiations with NAVI to sign the Russian CS:GO prodigy, m0NESY, for a reported transfer amount of around $600,000 USD.
Since kennyS departed from the active CS:GO roster, AmaNEk had been fragging with the 'big green' but it was a temporary solution that forced G2 to mostly play with rifles.

One of the best riflers in the world who is currently in peak form, Nikola "NiKo" Kovač, has revealed that G2 Esports will be eyeing a dedicated AWPer for its planned 2022 CS:GO roster. This comes amidst heavy speculation that the Spanish esports organization is in negotiations with Natus Vincere (NAVI) to acquire their breakout Academy player, Ilya "⁠m0NESY⁠" Osipov.

No official statement has been released by any of the parties involved so far. However, with NiKo stating that he is "definitely" looking forward to G2 bringing in a dedicated AWPer, during an interview with HLTV, has only added more fuel to the fire.

NiKo reveals that G2 Esports is ready to sign a dedicated AWPer for its 2022 CS:GO lineup

A victory at one of the big CS:GO tournaments has eluded G2 Esports this year, as the team has racked up a plethora of second and third-place finishes one after the other. To turn things around and convert those grand final matches into victories, G2 is set to make a few changes which includes the addition of a dedicated AWPer.

Since Kenny "kennyS" Schrub's departure from G2's active roster, the team has been operating without a proper marksman. In the absence of a dedicated AWPer, François "AmaNEk" Delaunay had been handed the responsibility of picking up the bolt action rifle whenever required. The results were lackluster, forcing G2 to mostly operate with rifles and face a handicap against teams with top-tier snipers.

NiKo has been called the best rifler of 2021

Acknowledging this heavy disadvantage, NiKo recently opened up about the requirement and necessity of an AWPer for the success of a CS:GO team and how G2 intends to utilise it as well moving forward.

Yeah, it's the most important role in the team if you look at how some of the other AWPers are performing. They're the ones that have the most impact, I would say, so having a strong AWPer is what we miss. Bringing an AWPer in next year will help us take the next step. I'm definitely looking forward to it and I think we're about to see the best face of G2.
Nikola "NiKo" Kovač - Interview with HLTV

The above statement by NiKo has added fuel to reports about G2 acquiring the Russian CS:GO prodigy, m0NESY, from NAVI for a transfer amount which is supposedly around $600,000 USD along with some additional terms.

It is a risky acquisition considering that m0NESY has not played yet in the top-tier of CS:GO. However, the youngster is confident in his abilities and cannot wait to prove himself at the international stage.

There may even be more changes that G2 Esports might make, as both Robin "ropz" Kool and Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen have been linked with a potential move to the European team.

Only time will tell as to what CS:GO lineup G2 Esports ends up finalizing for the 2022 competitive circuit, as they aim to convert their close finishes into solid wins.

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Aditya is the in-house CS:GO writer at AFK Gaming. While his understanding of the esports space is not restricted by geographical borders, his current focus lies in the Asian region. Understands and follows almost all major esport titles.