AFCON Qualifiers: Eritrea Stuns Eswatini in Opener

Eritrea are back in the AFCON qualifiers after two decades of sporadic participation | MONIRUL BHUIYAN / AFP

Eritrea wins first AFCON preliminary-round qualifier in nearly 20 years; faces Eswatini again next Tuesday.

Eritrea kickstarts AFCON qualifiers with 2-0 win over Eswatini...

Eritrea returns to AFCON qualifiers after 20 years,  Eswatini 2-0 in Morocco; return leg in Eswatini next Tuesday. 

Eritrea is back in AFCON qualifying, and they're kicking off with a 2-0 win over Eswatini in the first leg of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary-round qualifier in Meknes, Morocco.

Eritrea's absence from international football for almost 20 years was due to issues like player defections during away matches, and they've been rebuilding since their last AFCON qualifiers participation in 2008.

Eritrea's AFCON history comes full circle, facing Eswatini again 16 years after their last meeting - a 0-0 draw in 2007. Back then, they finished second in their group with nine points, showing promise before their long absence.

The match's opener was a wild one: Siem Eyob-Abraha's corner sailed into the net untouched in the 81st minute, giving Eritrea the lead.

Eritrea sealed the win with a thrilling second goal in the 90+4 minute, courtesy of Ali Suleiman's brilliant solo effort - a mazy run and a rocket shot into the roof of the net.

Suleiman had a penalty saved earlier by Eswatini goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya, but the Eritrean striker made up for it with his decisive goal, capping an emotional win for his team in their first AFCON qualifier in nearly 20 years.

The return leg between Eritrea and Eswatini is set for next Tuesday in Eswatini. This match kicked off the AFCON preliminary-round qualifiers, and Eritrea's 2-0 win has set up an intriguing second leg.

The six winners from this preliminary round will join 42 other teams in the group phase. The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, likely in June/July next year.