Eritrea will end an 18-year absence from Africa Cup of Nations qualifying when they face Eswatini on Wednesday in Meknes, Morocco, marking a long-awaited return to international competition.
The preliminary round first-leg match will be played at the 20,000-seat Stade d’Honneur, relocated from Eritrea due to the country’s lack of an international-standard stadium.
The return leg is scheduled for March 31 in Eswatini, with the aggregate winner advancing to the group stage of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Historic return after prolonged absence
Eritrea, known as the Red Sea Camels, last participated in AFCON qualifying in 2008, drawing away to Eswatini, then called Swaziland. Since then, the East African nation has withdrawn from nine consecutive qualification campaigns without official explanation.
However, the absence has widely been attributed to concerns over players seeking asylum while traveling abroad. According to United Nations estimates, around 80 Eritrean footballers and coaches have defected over the years, citing political repression and mandatory national service.
Eritrean National Football Federation president Paulos Andemariam confirmed the country’s return ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament.
“After positive discussions with our government, we have registered to play in the 2027 AFCON,” he said. “We believe we will have a strong team, including players from the diaspora.”
The team will now be coached by Hesham Yakan, a former Egypt international and ex-Zamalek defender, replacing Ermias Tewelde.
The 24-man squad includes 10 domestic players and others based internationally.
Eritrea faces significant challenges due to a lack of match activity. The team has not played a competitive international fixture in seven years.
Eswatini, ranked 159th globally, will look to capitalize. The two teams previously met twice in 2008, both ending in draws.
