On March 25, 2026, Eritrea will face Eswatini in the Preliminary Round of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 at Stade d’Honneur in Meknes. This match is particularly significant as it marks Eritrea’s return to international football after a self-imposed exile lasting over six years.

The first leg of this encounter will be followed by a second leg on March 31, 2026, at Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba. Both teams are vying for a spot in the group phase of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with six teams advancing to join 42 other Member Associations of CAF.

Eritrea has not played an official game since 2019, having withdrawn from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to a lack of suitable stadiums. Their FIFA ranking currently stands at 159th, and their squad is primarily composed of young and uncapped players, which adds an element of uncertainty to their performance.

In contrast, Eswatini has faced its own challenges, finishing at the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group without securing a single win, losing all ten of their matches. Notably, they failed to score in four of their six games last year, highlighting their struggles in front of goal.