CAN 2027 (Q): After its feat in Kenya, can Eritrea believe in a fairy tale?

After 19 years of absence in the group stage of World Cup qualifiers, Eritrea earned a draw against Kenya in Nairobi (1-1), with Nahom Girmai scoring. The team, rebuilt with diaspora players, notably eliminated Eswatini 4-1 in the qualifiers, but many players fled the country after qualification, posing challenges for future success. The political and social situation in Eritrea, characterized by an authoritarian regime and mass defections, continues to impact the development of the national football team.