Written By | Our Reporter
The ENFF announced on Wednesday that the national men’s team will take part in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers
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The Eritrean national men’s and women’s teams have for many years shunned participation in regional and international competitions due to the incapacity of the country’s football governing body. However, this is set to change after the Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF) confirmed that the national teams will return to competitive football.
The ENFF announced on Wednesday that the national men’s team will take part in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
ENFF President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam confirmed the development while speaking to the press at the ongoing AFCON in Rabat, Morocco. “I can confirm that we have registered to play in the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON, and I believe we shall have a strong team because we currently have many players playing outside the African continent,” Andemariam said.
The Red Sea Camels did not participate in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and also withdrew from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Eritrea had been drawn in Group E alongside Morocco, Niger, Tanzania, Zambia and Congo, but failed to honour the fixtures. This prompted CAF to amend its rules and nullify all points collected against the bottom team in each group when determining the best second-placed teams for the continental playoffs.
DR Congo went on to win the playoffs and will now feature in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico in March, where additional slots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the USA will be decided.
The Horn of Africa nation is now set to feature in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with the finals to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The qualification rounds are scheduled to start in March.
“We have had positive discussions with the government, and we are now prepared to take part in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers,” Andemariam added.
Eritrea has for many years not participated in the men’s CECAFA U15, U17 and Senior Challenge Cup tournaments, as well as the women’s CECAFA and WAFCON qualifiers.
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