soulfly on MAJ3R: “He tries to treat me like a son.”

Aurora Gaming rifler Kaner “soulfly” In an interview with OFFSTAGE, Kesichi discussed the unpredictability of the IEM Cologne Major 2026, spoke about the influence of Engin “MAJ3R” Kupeli on the team’s players, and named the most emotional player on the roster.
On the major’s biggest surprises
There are teams like 9z Team and BetBoom Team. I never would have expected them to make it to the third stage. But what they accomplished is truly something they should be proud of. And, in my opinion, they surprised the whole world. So it seems like this Major has surprised absolutely everyone. That’s why I don’t even know who will win the Major. Of course, I believe we’ll win the Major.
On working with MAJ3R
He’s very kind. If I make some silly mistake, he always tries to help me. He’s not a toxic guy. And he knows I’m a rookie. It takes time to play like him; it takes time to gain the same level of experience he has. That’s why he tries to treat me like a son. So he isn’t particularly toxic toward me, and I really like that. He helps me manage my emotions both in and out of the game. We often get along well, and I really enjoy getting advice from him because he’s 35 or 36 years old, and he still loves sharing his thoughts with his teammates. I’m glad he does that, and I keep learning from him day after day.
On the atmosphere at Aurora Gaming
Our coach and our captain are the same age, but they don’t act like some kind of bosses. They’re my friends, and they don’t say things like, “You have to do this.” They don’t talk that way. They’re very friendly, and we’re very close to each other. It’s great for me to have experienced guys around because I need that. Imagine being a rookie playing on this stage, but surrounded by a young team with not a single experienced player. Sometimes that has a negative impact on teams. But I can get a lot of advice from them, and it really helps me.
About the person who supports the team
I think it’s woxic. Because it doesn’t matter what the score is, it doesn’t matter how badly we’re losing. He always tries to motivate us. Even if, for example, we’re losing 0–12, he still says: “All right, guys, if they can do it, so can we. We have legs, we have arms—we have everything they do. It all comes down to our mindset.” So I’d definitely name him.
On Controlling Emotions on Stage
Sometimes it’s hard to manage those emotions during a game. Let’s say you’re playing in front of an audience, people are shouting, or you realize the fans aren’t on your side. They’re only rooting for your opponent. Sometimes it’s hard to deal with that. But when you have teammates nearby who literally reach out a hand and help you get back on your feet, it gets easier. I think, as a player, I’m usually able to control my emotions, but I still need to get better at it. My teammates help me a lot, too.
Earlier, Aurora Gaming defeated BetBoom Team 2-0 and secured a spot in the semifinals of the IEM Cologne Major 2026. Right now, Kaner “soulfly” Kesic’s team is battling FURIA for a spot in the tournament’s grand final.
Photo by Sophie Barrowclough, BLAST.


