Eritrea made a notable return to continental football
on Wednesday, recording a 2–0 victory over Eswatini in an Africa Cup of Nations
qualifying match—bringing an end to their 18-year absence from the competition.
Former Manchester United youth striker Siem
Eyob-Abraha was among the goalscorers as Eritrea secured a solid advantage in
the first leg. The fixture was held in Meknes, Morocco, due to the absence of a
suitable international-standard stadium in Eritrea.
Eritrea last featured in AFCON qualifiers in 2008
before pulling out of subsequent editions, a situation widely linked to
repeated incidents of players seeking asylum during overseas competitions.
Reports from the United Nations suggest that dozens of
Eritrean players and coaching staff have left the country over the years,
citing concerns such as political repression and compulsory national service.
The country has been governed by Isaias Afwerki since
gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, with its human rights record
frequently drawing criticism from international observers.
Ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament, Eritrean Football
Federation president Paulos Andemariam confirmed the country’s renewed
participation following consultations with government authorities. He expressed
confidence in the team’s future, highlighting the inclusion of diaspora players
as part of efforts to rebuild the national squad.
The team is currently coached by Hesham Yakan, a
former Zamalek SC defender who also represented Egypt at the 1990 FIFA World
Cup. His 24-man squad includes a strong presence of foreign-based players.
The return leg of the tie is set for March 31 in
Eswatini, with the winner advancing to the group stage of the qualifiers
scheduled between September and November.
Looking ahead, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be
jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—marking the first time three
countries will co-host the tournament.
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