Eritrea has withdrawn from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, marking a notable decision as African nations vie for places in the continent’s top tournament. Eritrea has also opted out of the 2027 and 2029 editions, a move reportedly driven by concerns that players might use international tournaments as opportunities to leave the country.
Since 2009, more than 60 Eritrean players have reportedly deserted their national teams during overseas matches, with many seeking asylum to escape Eritrea’s repressive political environment.
This pattern has led the Eritrean Football Federation to withdraw from the 2025 tournament qualifiers, as well as from the 2026 World Cup qualifying rounds.
The government fears the trend of players defecting may escalate if they continue participating in high-profile events abroad.
While Eritrea steps back, other nations are moving forward in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. Fourteen teams have already booked their tickets to the tournament, which will be held in Côte d’Ivoire.
Among the qualified teams are several African heavyweights, including Algeria, Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Angola. Côte d’Ivoire, however, has yet to secure its place in the upcoming competition, despite being the reigning AFCON champions.
Côte d’Ivoire’s national team, led by coach Emerse Faé, recently stumbled in its qualifying campaign, suffering an unexpected defeat to Sierra Leone.
This loss delayed the team’s progress towards automatic qualification, prompting Faé to reflect on the setback and the adjustments made to his lineup for the match.
In addressing the defeat, Faé remarked, “We learn from every match, whether it is won or lost. The changes made were deserved for the players concerned, who had an excellent training camp.
We played in special conditions, and it was better to let some players, who have played a lot since the start of the season, rest.
Playing on a synthetic pitch was not ideal for them, which allowed others to have their chance.
This choice was not conclusive, but we must not overwhelm the six new players. We lost together, as we win together, so there are no regrets.”
Despite the loss to Sierra Leone, Faé expressed optimism, underscoring the team’s collective responsibility and resilience as they aim to secure their qualification in the remaining fixtures.
With a final opportunity to clinch their spot, the Ivorian squad is prepared to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in upcoming matches.
The 2025 AFCON qualifiers continue to intensify as teams battle for limited slots in the tournament.
Eritrea’s decision to withdraw reflects the broader complexities and challenges some nations face in international competition, particularly when political and social issues intersect with sport.
For other teams, the focus remains firmly on the field as they strive to secure their place in Africa’s premier football showcase.
