Eritrea is set to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after an 18-year absence, hosting Eswatini in a 2027 qualifier to be played in Morocco.

The preliminary round first leg at the 20,000-seat Stade d’Honneur has been moved from East to North Africa because Eritrea lacks an international-standard venue. Popularly known as the Red Sea Camels, Eritrea has not played in the AFCON since drawing a 2008 qualifier in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland.

Eritrean football officials have never explained their absence from nine subsequent Cups of Nations, but it is widely believed to be due to players seeking asylum when playing abroad. The team, now featuring a mix of local and diaspora players under new coach Hesham Yakan, faces challenges like limited match practice after years of inactivity.