Guilherme "gohaN" Alf is one of the biggest names in the Latin American scene, having played on some of the top rosters in the region since Year 1. He initially represented the LATAM region alongside Leonardo "Astro" Luis, Adenauer "Silence" Alvarenga, Gabriel "cameram4n" Hespanhol, and Dimas "Panico" Junioron Santos Dexterity at the first Six Invitational in 2017 where they narrowly lost to the eventual champions of Continuum, before continuing alongside Astro and cameram4n to make up the Team Fontt and FaZe Clan rosters for the next year and a half.
In this time, gohaN led the team as their in-game-leader to the 2017 and 2018 Brasileirão Championship titles, two top-four finishes during Seasons 5 and 6 of the Pro League, and a top-eight finish at the 2018 Six Invitational before finally moving to the team’s bench after they fell to both Rogue and Team Secret during the Paris Major group stages, leading to a much earlier exit than predicted.
"That's how my time as FaZe's captain ends. I'm going to be the 6th player until the next transfer window and I'll be waiting for other opportunities. I thank the opportunities that I've recently received, but I need time to take care of my mind and body and, of course, enjoy the holidays with my family and friends. My insanity in trying to find ways to evolve has misled me and I think it's because of the stress in-game. I hope you will support me in this decision as you always have!!"
Following this, at the end of Season 8, gohaN transferred from the most consistent roster in LATAM to the most successful one -- Team Liquid. However, after apparent fallings-out within the roster, he was once again moved to the role of the sixth player midway through Season 9 despite having helped the team make the top eight at the 2019 Six Invitational.
The full Team Liquid roster at the Six Invitational 2019 via @rainbow6br’s flickr From left to right: Nesk, Silence, Sensi, gohaN, xS3xyCake, Paluh and ziG
Now, six months after he last played a top-level game, he joins Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) to replace Gabriel "pino" Fernandes as they sit atop the Latin American standings halfway through Season 10.
After some limited Pro League experience back in Season 4, Pino joined the NiP roster less than a month after his 18th birthday, replacing Pedro "pzd" Dutra less than a year ago. Since then, the roster has marked a drop in its level of success, failing to make it out of the group stages at both the 2019 Six Invitational and Raleigh Major, and missing out on qualification for the Season 9 Pro League Finals, with their best performance coming in the form of a third-place finish at the Brasileirão 2019 Finals.
Pino at the 2019 Six Invitational via @rainbow6br’s flickr
We spoke to gohaN about the change and what we can expect from NiP in the future:
You make your return to Rainbow Six after a fairly long while away. Do you anticipate any time needed to readjust?
Yes, mechanically speaking I think it will take a few weeks to get back to the best performance possible, but I'm evolving very well and it won't be a problem... it's like riding a bike.
Many people thought you'd be taking up a coaching role elsewhere so how did this opportunity at NiP come about and how long have you been working with the team at this point?
They were not wrong, I really started a job as a coach, but it lasted a few days and the NiP team came to me. I could not say no because I know the potential of the players and this chance was what I was waiting for since I left Liquid. I think the opportunity came because they believe in my work and my commitment to one day dominate the R6 scene and take Brazil to the top of the world. We started the work a week ago, and I already feel that we will evolve a lot as a team.
What do you think could lie in the future for LATAM, who await their first international title in over a year?
I think the future is good for LATAM. Talking about my team, we have the potential to get there and I know the work needs to be hard but we are willing to pay the price to be the best.
What kind of a role will you be taking with NiP?
I will assume the role of a Flex player, sometimes more offensive and more defensive. I will also be the team's In-Game Leader to help guide the team on the best route to victory as I've done on FaZe and Liquid before.
Do you have anything to say to your critics and fans?
Yes, I have. I would like to thank all the fans for the messages all day, encouraging me to be better, it is to honour your admiration that I work hard. For those who criticize me, I have nothing to say, they are insignificant to me, but I appreciate the extra motivation to prove them wrong.
This change now means that gohaN has been a part of all of LATAM’s traditional big-three teams in less than a year. His first challenge on NiP will come against the currently last-placed team in the region -- the ex-ReD DevilS roster -- with games against his two previous lineups of Liquid and FaZe coming on September 28th and October 2nd.
As such, the Ninjas in Pyjamas lineup is:
Guilherme "gohaN" Alf
João "Kamikaze" Gomes
Gustavo "Psycho" Rigal
Julio "Julio" Giacomelli
Murilo "Muzi" Muzi
Arthur "Ar7hur" Schubert (their coach)
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To keep up with any further changes and to see how this new lineup will fair keep an eye out here at SiegeGG!