Team Falcons, a prominent force in the Dota 2 competitive scene, has reportedly made a significant leadership change within their roster. Ammar “ATF” Assaf, the team`s dynamic offlaner, has taken over the crucial captain duties from veteran Oliver “Sneyking” Lepko. This development comes via insights shared by Vladislav “Kozak” Lazurenko, a former analyst for OG.
This transition marks a notable shift, as Sneyking had held the captain`s role since 2021, a tenure that includes leading the formidable Tundra Esports roster to significant tournament victories.
According to Kozak, the rationale behind this move appears to be a direct response to what he describes as a “crisis of results” that has seemingly affected Falcons recently. However, the former OG analyst expresses a degree of skepticism regarding the potential effectiveness of this reshuffle. While acknowledging ATF`s inherent “captain and leadership potential,” Kozak raises questions about whether he possesses the necessary depth of experience and specific competencies required to consistently guide a top-tier team through the strategic complexities of professional Dota 2.
Kozak further posits that this change might not address what he views as the team`s more fundamental issues: a perceived degradation in overall team synergy and perhaps even a dip in individual player form. He suggests that Falcons` characteristic style has historically leaned more heavily on exceptional individual skill rather than deeply intricate tactical or strategic frameworks, and a captain change alone might not fundamentally alter this dynamic or solve underlying structural challenges.
The timing of this reported leadership swap aligns with Team Falcons` current participation in the Riyadh Masters tournament, part of the larger Esports World Cup event. Their performance in the group stage has, as Kozak observed, appeared “pale and even sad” at times, indicating the team is indeed navigating turbulent waters. As of the latest reports, they are struggling to secure commanding results within their group.
Earlier in 2025, Team Falcons achieved two second-place finishes in major tournaments. While respectable results by many standards, the team is evidently aiming higher and still pursuing their first championship win of the year, adding context to the urgency behind exploring roster and leadership adjustments.
Handing the captain band to a player known for his aggressive, often unconventional offlane playstyle like ATF is undoubtedly one of the most discussed strategic maneuvers in the current Dota 2 landscape. Whether this bold gamble can successfully revitalize the squad and address the underlying performance issues, or if it represents a misstep, remains an open question that only future tournament results will definitively answer.
