2027 AFCON Preliminary Qualifier: Eritrea Appoint First Foreign Coach

2027 AFCON Preliminary Qualifier: Eritrea Appoint First Foreign Coach

 Sampson Adedeji

Ahead of their campaign in the preliminary round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Eritrea has appointed its first foreign national team coach in 18 years, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Eritrean Football Federation confirmed the appointment of Egyptian tactician Hashim Yakin as the new head coach of the national team.

Yakin becomes the first foreign coach to handle the Red Sea Boys since 2008. 

He is also the second non-Eritrean African to manage the team and the second Egyptian coach after Mushir Osman, who led the side between 1998 and 1999.

The appointment is part of Eritrea’s effort to strengthen the national team ahead of the qualifiers.

Eritrea are scheduled to face Eswatini national football team in the preliminary round of the qualifiers, with the winner progressing to the group stage of the race for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.