Eritrea return to Afcon qualifying group stage after 20 years as Somalia reach first ever

Eritrea end two-decade absence

Eritrea are back in the group stage of Afcon qualifiers — for the first time since the build-up to the 2008 edition — after seeing off Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round in March.

However, seven Eritrea players absconded after the away leg of their tie which was held in South Africa. Occurrences of Eritrean sportsmen and women failing to return home to what is a one-party state and a highly militarised society has long been an issue, and was part of the reason for the East Africans withdrawing from qualifying for both the 2023 Afcon and 2026 World Cup.

Yet the Red Sea Camels, who have been drawn alongside Kenya, South Africa and Guinea in Group D, are now largely relying on talent drawn from the diaspora. Just three home-based players have been named in the squad for their opening two fixtures, which see them take on the tournament co-hosts in Nairobi on Saturday before a 'home' game against Bafana Bafana in Cairo on Tuesday.

Sheffield United striker Siem Eyob-Abraha is back in the Eritrea squad after the 18-year-old scored in the preliminary qualifying round victory over Eswatini in March.

Somalia reach group stage for first time

Meanwhile, Somalia have reached the group stage of qualifying for the first ever time but face a very tricky draw alongside Ivory Coast, Ghana and The Gambia. The Ocean Stars are ranked 53rd on the continent but, like Eritrea, can at least dream of reaching Afcon as the tournament returns to East Africa for the first time since 1976.

Chad, Djibouti, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Seychelles are the other five nations already eliminated.