Nikola NiKo Kovač has shared his most detailed explanation regarding his departure from FaZe Clan and his move to G2 Esports. In a statement published on his YouTube channel, the Bosnian star spoke openly about long-term instability, mental pressure, and the moment he realized he had run out of answers inside FaZe.
Long-term instability inside FaZe
NiKo made it clear that FaZe’s issues were not caused by a single event. Instead, the team struggled for a long time with constant roster changes and a lack of continuity. Frequent adjustments made it difficult to build chemistry or maintain a stable system. At one point, FaZe played an entire season using three different stand-ins. This situation placed additional stress on the team environment and preparation.
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Carrying responsibility as in-game leader
During that unstable period, NiKo was also acting as the in-game leader. He explained that combining leadership duties with constant roster changes took a heavy mental toll.
The team was constantly changing, and I was the IGL. After all of that, it was very hard mentally to recover, NiKo said.
Despite the pressure, he emphasized that he always tried to make things work and accepted responsibility whenever problems appeared.
COVID era increased the pressure
According to NiKo, the COVID period became a major turning point. The lack of LAN events, endless online matches, and isolation at home intensified the pressure.
We were stuck at home, playing 24/7. We couldn’t leave the house, and the pressure was always there, he explained.
FaZe were underperforming during that time and had no official events to reset momentum. For NiKo, the situation gradually became overwhelming.
When answers stopped coming
NiKo rejected the idea that leaving FaZe was an escape. He stated that he remained committed until he felt he could no longer provide solutions.
I really tried everything I could to make the team work. But at some point, I realized I didn’t have the right solutions anymore in FaZe.
That realization, rather than one specific failure, pushed him toward change.
G2 offered a fresh start
When G2 Esports approached NiKo, the timing felt right. He described the move as a natural step after a difficult chapter, not a rushed decision.
When G2 reached out, it just felt like the right moment to change.
The transfer gave NiKo a chance to reset in a more stable structure with renewed motivation.
Community reaction
NiKo’s comments quickly sparked discussion across the Counter-Strike community. Many fans and analysts supported his explanation, pointing to FaZe’s instability and frequent stand-ins. Others reacted more critically or humorously, questioning aspects of his leadership role. Still, the discussion highlighted how demanding that period was for the star rifler.
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Career context
NiKo’s move from FaZe to G2 remains one of the most important transfers of the CS:GO era. His recent explanation adds valuable context to a decision that shaped both organizations. For NiKo, the transfer was not just about changing teams. It was about regaining control, motivation, and belief in his own decisions.
