Xoma Steps In as Nemiga Coach Following boX’s Break, Spotlighting Mental Health in CS2

Xoma Steps In as Nemiga Coach Following boX’s Break, Spotlighting Mental Health in CS2

Nemiga Gaming have named Andrey "Xoma" Mironenko as their interim coach after head coach Anton "boX" Burko announced a pause from competition. This transition comes as Nemiga preps for crucial upcoming LAN tournaments. 

Why boX Needed a Break

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Nemiga cited the grueling demands of the past year:

“Long flights, online and offline tournaments, intense bootcamps and daily trainings... that type of life requires one’s physical and emotional health to be constantly tested. That’s why, at a certain point, taking a pause is inevitable.”

This candid acknowledgment reinforces the importance of mental and physical well-being in professional esports—a conversation growing in prominence as events become more frequent and travel-heavy.

Xoma Brings Experience and Stability

Xoma returns to coaching after stepping away following Astrum’s final tournament in June. With previous stints at 9 Pandas and Virtus.pro, he brings seasoned leadership at a pivotal moment for Nemiga. His arrival was confirmed in the HLTV transfers log: a direct, timely replacement in the coaching lineup. 

Context: Nemiga’s Roster Evolution

Earlier this year, Nemiga went through a roster shakeup. Notably, rising star Ivan “zweih” Gogin transferred to Team Spirit in July after delivering standout performances, including helping Nemiga topple HEROIC to reach Stage 3 of the Austin Major. 

Nemiga’s roster now features:

• Beksultan “khaN” Ospan

• Maksim “riskyb0b” Churikov

• Kirill “Xant3r” Kononov

• Maksim “sowalio” Beketov

• Aleksandr “1eeR” Nahornyj (IGL)

• Coach: boX (now benched), with Xoma stepping in temporarily

This marks another major leadership transition for a team still carving its path through tier-1 competition.

The Bigger Picture: Coach Mental Health in Esports

boX’s temporary break shines a light on a growing challenge in competitive gaming: burnout. As the scene expands into more frequent tiers, demanding travel, and relentless LAN schedules, the strain on coaches—who juggle strategic prep, player supervision, and media duties—mounts.

Nemiga's statement is a meaningful reminder: rest and recovery are as crucial as bootcamps and practice.

Summary Table

Category	Details
Coach Outgoing	Anton "boX" Burko—stepping aside for health reasons
Interim Coach	Andrey "Xoma" Mironenko—formerly of 9 Pandas and Virtus.pro
Reason for Change	Exhaustion from intensive travel and training schedules
Roster Background	Nemiga recently lost key star zweih to Team Spirit, reshuffling roles
Health Focus	Highlights need for mental wellness in esports
Team Outlook	With Xoma’s help, Nemiga looks to maintain stability for upcoming LANs