Eritrea secured a 2-0 victory over Eswatini in their AFCON qualifiers debut, marking a significant return to the competition after a 14-year absence. The match was played at a neutral venue in Morocco due to Eswatini's stadium not meeting international standards.
The breakthrough came in the 84th minute when 18-year-old Siem Eyob-Abraha, a Sheffield United player, scored directly from a corner kick. Eyob-Abraha's goal sparked celebrations in the Eritrean dressing room. The second goal was added by Egypt-based forward Ali Suleiman, sealing a crucial first-leg win for Eritrea.
The victory highlights a renewed sense of hope and pride in the national team, with much of the success credited to head coach Hesham Yakan. Yakan, a former player for the Egypt national football team who represented his country at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, selected 14 foreign-based players in his 24-man squad, helping to build confidence and unity within the team.
Eritrea will need to maintain their performance if they hope to advance to the second round of qualifiers, scheduled for September to November 2026. The second leg of the preliminary qualifiers is set to take place on March 31 in Eswatini.
Siem Eyob-Abraha's impressive debut in the AFCON qualifiers has sent shockwaves of excitement among Eritrean football fans. At just 18 years old, Eyob-Abraha has already shown immense potential, and his goal from a corner kick will be remembered for a long time. With this victory, Eritrea has set themselves up for a potential historic run in the competition, and Eyob-Abraha will be at the forefront of their campaign.
