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Eritrea marked a historic return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday, securing a 2-0 victory over Eswatini in a qualifier, ending an 18-year absence from the tournament.
Former Manchester United youth striker Siem Eyob-Abraha, now playing for Sheffield United in the English second-tier, played a crucial role in the match. The 18-year-old scored the opening goal in the 84th minute, while Egypt-based Ali Suleiman sealed the win with a second goal deep into added time.
Due to Eritrea’s lack of an international-standard stadium, the preliminary round first leg was moved to Meknes, Morocco, to mark Eritrea’s first appearance in the AFCON qualifiers since 2008.
It is believed that the country’s absence resulted from players seeking asylum while travelling internationally, driven by political repression and the burden of compulsory military service. Reports suggest that around 80 Eritrean footballers and coaches defected during this period.
Eritrea has been under the leadership of President Isaias Afwerki since its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. His regime has been consistently described by human rights groups as “highly repressive.” However, following positive talks with the government, the Eritrean Football Federation announced its intent to register for the 2027 AFCON, marking the end of the country’s footballing isolation.
The Eritrean squad, coached by Hesham Yakan, a former defender with Egypt’s Zamalek and a member of Egypt’s 1990 World Cup squad, included 14 foreign-based players among 24.
The return match will take place on March 31 in Eswatini, with the winners advancing to the six-round group phase of qualifiers, which will run from September to November.
The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted by three nations.
