zakk open to offers following expiry of 9z contract

Rafael “⁠zakk⁠” Fernandes is open to exploring new offers following the end of his contract with 9z, the 31-year-old coach has announced on Twitter.

zakk joined 9z in March 2020 and helped guide the team to a number of domestic title victories during the online era. He also stood behind the team in their FiReLEAGUE 2021 LAN victory over Isurus and coached them in the Roobet Cup, where they scored back-to-back victories over FURIA to make the playoffs.

The stretch of results helped the team peak at No. 19 in the world rankings in August 2022, and they have hovered in and around the top 25 since that point. Toward the end of the year, 9z took part in the IEM Rio Major Challengers Stage after a successful campaign through the Americas RMR, and secured wins over Imperial and Evil Geniuses in Brazil before ultimately exiting the Swiss stage with a 2-3 record.

A number of South American lineups could benefit from the experience of zakk now that he has entered free agency. The 31-year-old previously enjoyed stints coaching Luminosity and the Immortals lineup that were the runner-ups at PGL Major Krakow, and had a lengthy playing career before that which dates back to CS: Source in 2008.