Vancouver Surge Benches Halo Champ Lqgend After Two Weeks of Qualifiers
Call of Duty League (CDL) side Vancouver Surge has benched former Halo world champion Kaci “Lqgend” Sabri just two weeks into the Black Ops 7 online qualifiers, announced on December 16, 2025. The move comes amid a winless start, with Surge dead last at 12th place after three defeats and zero map wins, the only CDL team without a single map victory this season.
Lqgend, who joined in November post-2025 HCS season, by passed Challengers for an immediate CDL debut alongside a youthful roster featuring rookies and vet Gwinn a risky gamble that’s backfired spectacularly.
Roster Update. pic.twitter.com/uCkxNuRE7D
— Vancouver Surge (@SurgeVancouver) December 16, 2025
Roster Update Sparks Backlash
Surge’s official X post simply read “Roster Update” with an image confirming Lqgend’s inactive status, sending shockwaves through the community. Leaks from Methodz’s stream initially suggested a full drop to free agency, but the org clarified it’s a benching.
Ricky “Atura” Lugo, GM and Head Coach, stated: “Sabri has a high ceiling… this move gives him time and space to continue developing without immediate pressure. We believed in his potential and remain confident.” Lqgend heads to NA Challengers, with with 6,000 Pro Points from his brief CDL stint, topping the leaderboard.
It was obviously absurd to be in the CDL without 0 CoD competitive experience under my belt.
Got the offer and thought that it was an opportunity of a lifetime and you can’t refuse it. Grateful for the opportunity and learned a lot playing against the best players on CoD
— Lqgend (@Lqgend_) December 16, 2025
Halo Star’s Rocky CoD Transition
The 2024 Halo World Champion with OpTic Gaming in HCS but struggled adapting to CoD’s fast paced meta. Critics like FormaL noted the brutal Halo to CoD switch: “Straight into CDL with no Challengers, no vets around him.” Fans echoed this, blaming Surge’s rookie heavy lineup for setting Lqgend up to fail.
Replacement Rumors
With Week 3 qualifiers looming January 9-11, 2026, Surge has a month to pick up a sub. Whispers point to TJHaLy as the frontrunner, per The Flank: “Current rumors suggest TJHaLy will replace him.” Other ex-Halo talents like Renegade are thriving in Challengers.
Community divides with some hailing the quick pivot as smart upside chasing, others decry benching a talent too soon.
Lqgend’s CoD future? Challengers could be his launchpad back to the big leagues.
Since: October 29, 2025
