Eritrea national football team
An Eritrean team participated in a friendly tournament in Sudan in 1992, the year before Eritrea achieved independence. The nation did not officially exist as a sovereign state until 1993, yet footballers from the region competed under an informal banner. Eritrea participated in the 1994 CECAFA Cup even though the Eritrean National Football Federation was not founded until 1996. This early participation occurred while the country was still fighting for its freedom and had no recognized international sporting body.
The first full international match took place during the 1999 CECAFA Cup, exactly one year after the federation joined both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football. Before that moment, players represented their home region without official backing or global recognition. The team has never qualified for the finals of the FIFA World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations since gaining official status.
In the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Eritrea managed a scoreless home draw versus Cameroon and a 1, 0 home win over Mozambique. They finished second in their three-team group but lost all four matches in the final playoff stage against Senegal and Zimbabwe. A similar pattern emerged in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers when they were drawn against Nigeria and defeated 4, 0 in the away leg after a goalless draw at home.
Eritrea withdrew from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on the 2nd of March 2022 due to the lack of a stadium meeting CAF requirements. Botswana received a walkover as their intended opponent. In November 2023, the nation pulled out of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers citing internal administrative refusal by Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner for Sports and Culture. These withdrawals left the team without an international match for six years until May 2025.
In December 2012, 17 Eritrean footballers and the team's doctor vanished after the CECAFA championship tournament in Uganda and applied for asylum there. Four players of Red Sea FC defected after a CAF Champions League 2006 match in Nairobi, Kenya. Up to 12 members of the national side disappeared following the 2007 CECAFA Cup in Tanzania.
Six players sought asylum in Angola in March 2007 after a group 6 qualifying game for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Three more players from the national team sought asylum in Sudan. The government began requiring athletes to pay a 100,000 nakfa surety before traveling abroad to prevent further absconding. Twelve squad members failed to report for the return flight during the 2009 CECAFA Cup in Nairobi and were believed to be hiding in Eastleigh, an eastern suburb of Nairobi home to many immigrants.
Tekie Abraha, who was born in Asmara, became the first manager of the national football team of Eritrea between 1991 and 1996. He returned to manage the team again from 1999 to 2000 and once more in 2003. Yılmaz Yücetürk coached the squad from 2000 to 2002 during their World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria.
Dorian Marin guided the team from 2006 to 2007 under his Romanian background. René Feller took charge from 2007 to 2008 while Negash Teklit served as caretaker in 2002 and later managed from 2009 to 2012. Omar Ahmed Hussein led the team from 2013 to 2015 and Alemseged Efrem from 2015 to 2019. Ermias Tewelde assumed leadership in 2024 and continued through 2025.
Yidnekachew Shimangus holds the record for most appearances with 23 caps and scored 6 goals between 1998 and 2007. Yonas Fesehaye earned 19 caps and scored 5 goals during his career spanning 1999 to 2007. Natnael Mesfun Zeru made 16 appearances and scored no goals from 1998 to 2003.
Abel Afeworki played 13 matches without scoring between 1998 and 2002. Berhane Aregai appeared in 15 games and scored 5 goals from 2002 to 2007. Fassil Abreha made 11 appearances and scored 3 goals between 1999 and 2003. Ali Sulieman has scored 3 goals in 9 matches since joining the squad in 2019.
Common questions
When did the Eritrea national football team first participate in an international tournament?
An Eritrean team participated in a friendly tournament in Sudan in 1992 before the nation achieved independence. The nation did not officially exist as a sovereign state until 1993, yet footballers from the region competed under an informal banner.
Who was the first manager of the Eritrea national football team and when did he serve?
Tekie Abraha became the first manager of the national football team of Eritrea between 1991 and 1996. He returned to manage the team again from 1999 to 2000 and once more in 2003.
How many caps does Yidnekachew Shimangus hold for the Eritrea national football team?
Yidnekachew Shimangus holds the record for most appearances with 23 caps and scored 6 goals between 1998 and 2007. No other player has surpassed this total number of matches played for the squad.
Why did the Eritrea national football team withdraw from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on the 2nd of March 2022?
Eritrea withdrew from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on the 2nd of March 2022 due to the lack of a stadium meeting CAF requirements. Botswana received a walkover as their intended opponent.
What happened to 17 Eritrean footballers after the CEFA championship tournament in Uganda in December 2012?
In December 2012, 17 Eritrean footballers and the team's doctor vanished after the CEFA championship tournament in Uganda and applied for asylum there. The government began requiring athletes to pay a 100,000 nakfa surety before traveling abroad to prevent further absconding.