Eritrea secured a 2-0 victory over Eswatini in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 Preliminary Round qualifier held on March 25, 2026, at Stade d’Honneur in Meknes, Morocco.
The match saw Eritrea take the lead with a goal from Siem Eyob-Abraha in the 81st minute, followed by a second goal from Ali Suleiman just four minutes into added time. Despite the win, Eritrea missed a penalty during the match, which could have increased their lead.
This match marked a significant moment for Eritrea, as it was their first qualifier in 20 years against Eswatini, with the last encounter occurring in September 2007. The victory puts Eritrea in a favorable position ahead of the return leg.
The return leg is scheduled to take place on March 31, 2026, at Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini. This match is part of the opening round of qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027, which will see the continental finals co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania next year.
Reactions to the match have been positive from Eritrean supporters, who are hopeful for their team’s performance in the upcoming return leg. Official statements from the teams are expected as they prepare for the next encounter.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of this match on both teams’ strategies moving forward in the qualifiers.
