Former Manchester United youth team striker Siem Eyob-Abraha scored on Wednesday as Eritrea ended an 18-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Eswatini 2-0 in a qualifier.
The 18-year-old, now with English second-tier club Sheffield United, struck after 84 minutes and Egypt-based Ali Suleiman added a second goal four minutes into added time.
Eritrea does not have an international-standard stadium so the preliminary round first leg was switched to Moroccan city Meknes.
After competing in 2008 Cup of Nations qualifying, Eritrea missed the following nine editions of the premier African national team competition without giving an explanation.
It is widely believed the isolation was triggered by players seeking asylum when they travelled to other African countries.
Crucial win for Eritrea in the first match of the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 Qualifiers Preliminary Round! 🇪🇷 pic.twitter.com/t0CMTY7nYm
— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) March 25, 2026
The United Nations estimates about 80 Eritrean footballers and coaches defected, citing political repression and lengthy military service as the main reasons.
Eritrea has been governed by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and human rights groups consistently describe his rule as "highly repressive".
Speaking in Morocco ahead of the 2025 Cup of Nations there, Eritrean national football federation president Paulos Andemariam announced that the isolation would end.
"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," he said.
Hesham Yakan, a former defender with famed Cairo club Zamalek and part of the Egypt squad at the 1990 World Cup, was appointed coach and he chose 14 foreign-based Eritreans in a 24-man squad.
The return match is on March 31 in Eswatini and the winners reach the six-round group phase of qualifying from September to November.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will co-host the 2027 Cup of Nations – the first time three countries will do so.