Ethiopia to host AFCON qualifier at home after five-year hiatus

The Ethiopian national side will return to home soil after a five-year hiatus. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has temporarily granted the Dire Dawa International Stadium permission to stage the 2027 African Cup of Nations preliminary round qualifier between Ethiopia and São Tomé & Príncipe this March.

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) confirmed that CAF has temporarily granted the Dire Dawa International Stadium approval to host one international game this March. In an official statement, the EFF said that after a tiresome effort by the federation, Ethiopia will play at home against São Tomé & Príncipe. The Waliyas last played on home soil five years ago, as CAF banned all stadiums in the country, deeming them unfit. The EFF has been using stadiums in Morocco, Malawi, South Africa, and Rwanda, as it cost the federation financially and the national team lost its home advantage. A CAF inspection team visited Dire Dawa on Wednesday, February 25.

CAF has set preconditions for the match between Ethiopia and São Tomé & Príncipe to be played in Dire Dawa. According to CAF, the game will be played behind closed doors, and the EFF is forbidden from selling tickets. The stadium ban is lifted only for the 2027 AFCON preliminary round fixture. CAF has also put strict recommendations in place for the stadium in eastern Ethiopia to be granted accreditation for other continental games.

Ethiopia coach Yohannes Sahle is expected to name his squad for the tie in a week. Sahle has named Belete Gebrekidane and Mohamed Jemal as assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer.

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