Eritrea will mark the end of nearly two decades of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) isolation when they face Eswatini in a preliminary qualifier for the 2027 tournament on Wednesday.
The historic fixture will be staged at the 20,000-seat Stade d’Honneur in Meknes, Morocco, after Eritrea was deemed unable to host due to the lack of an international-standard venue.
The Red Sea Camels last featured in AFCON qualifying in 2008, drawing away to Swaziland (now Eswatini).
Since then, Eritrea has been absent from nine editions of the continent’s premier competition, with widespread belief that fears of player defections abroad contributed to the hiatus.
The United Nations estimates that around 80 footballers and coaches have sought asylum over the years, citing political repression and compulsory military service.
Eritrean Football Federation president Paulos Andemariam confirmed the nation’s return, saying: “After positive discussions with our government we have registered to play in the 2027 AFCON and I believe we will have a strong team, including many Eritreans playing outside Africa.”
The team will be led by Egyptian coach Hesham Yakan, a former Zamalek defender and 1990 World Cup participant, who replaced local coach Ermias Tewelde.
His 24-man squad blends 10 home-based players with talent from across Europe, Australia, and Asia. Among them is striker Siem Eyob-Abraha of Sheffield United, once part of Manchester United’s youth system, and Egypt-based forward Ali Sulieman, praised by Yakan for his pace and creativity.
Eritrea’s challenge will be compounded by a lack of match practice, having last played a competitive international seven years ago in a World Cup qualifier against Namibia. Their inactivity has seen them omitted from FIFA’s rankings.
Eswatini, ranked 46th in Africa and 159th globally, has never qualified for AFCON despite 16 attempts.
New coach Sifiso Ntibane has selected a squad of 20, including seven players based in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The southern African side will host the return leg on March 31, with the aggregate winner advancing to the group stage.
The two nations have met only twice before, both in 2008 AFCON qualifiers, which ended goalless.
Five other preliminary ties are also underway, with several nations forced to play away from home due to inadequate facilities or security concerns.
Somalia, for instance, will host Mauritius in Maputo, Mozambique. The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with dates yet to be announced.
