AFCON (Q): Ethiopia in control after first leg victory over São Tomé and Príncipe

The Ethiopia national team pounced on first half mistakes to take control and secure a 3-0 first leg victory over São Tomé and Príncipe from the preliminary round of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying on Friday.

Final results from the last day of the first leg in the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Preliminary Round. 👇 pic.twitter.com/zr1Dgow4Mu

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) March 27, 2026

In what was the “home” leg for São Tomé and Príncipe in El Jadida, Morocco, the island nation got off to a strong start and showed intensity. However, Kenean Markneh was quick to take advantage of careless play from the São Tomé goalkeeper to win the ball and finish into an empty net in the 23rd minute.

Clinical Waliyas put one step into AFCON qualifying group stage

From there, the mistakes piled up for the Lusophone nation. The visitors doubled their lead owing to a passing mistake from the home side, as Abel Yalew fired from the edge of the box for the second goal.

After the resumption, São Tomé tried to get back into the tie but their poor attacking form and the visitors’ tactic of slowing down the play made it tough for them. Yohannes Sahle’s charges killed the tie 12 minutes before time, with Yalew grabbing his second of the day. The joint Ethiopian Premier League top scorer capitalized on a through ball from the left flank to strike from a tight angle, as the Waliyas emerged 3–0 winners.

The return leg between the two national sides will be played in Dire Dawa on Tuesday, March 31. Ethiopia will be playing on home soil for the first time in five years.