International football is set to return to Eritrea for the first time in five years. The Eritrean national team, known as the Red Sea Boys, will host two friendly matches in Asmara from May 26 to 28, 2025.
The Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF) announced that Eritrea will face Niger on May 26 at the National Stadium in Asmara. Two days later, the team will take on South Sudan.
Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam, president of the ENFF, said the federation is excited to host the two visiting teams.
“Our people have missed watching international football in Asmara,” Andemariam told Cecafaonline. “We thank the football federations of Niger and South Sudan for agreeing to send their teams.”
The return of international matches marks a major milestone for Eritrean football. The last time Eritrea hosted an international fixture was five years ago.
Niger will use the friendly matches as part of their preparation for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will be held in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania starting in August.
Beyond football, the matches will serve a greater purpose. The ENFF announced that the games will be held under the theme “Independence Through Solidarity,” celebrating both the return of football and African unity.
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