Eswatini have struggled for results of late, mostly due to their lack of goals. While Eritrea's form was poor prior to their international football hiatus, they bounced back well against in the first leg against Eswatini.
Key Stats - Eritrea made a Strong Return to International Football
- Eswatini have lost 4 of their last 5 fixtures.
- Eswatini have scored 2 goals in 5 matches.
- Eswatini have conceded 12 goals in 5 games.
- Eritrea have lost 3 of their last 5 fixtures.
- Eritrea have scored 2 goals in 5 games.
- Eritrea have conceded 5 goals in 5 matches.
Only Three Previous Encounters
Eritrea leads 1-0 in three previous encounters against Eswatini. They won the first leg of this tie 2-0 with two previous draws.
Eswatini with Four losses in last Five
Eswatini conceded two late goals against Eritrea in their AFCON preliminary round qualifier last week, losing 2-0 away.
Eswatini failed to win any of their FIFA World Cup qualifiers played between September and November last year, losing 3-0 to Cameroon, 2-0 to Libya, and drawing 2-2 with Angola before losing 3-0 to Cape Verde.
Sihlangu Semnikati have lost four of their last five matches, with one draw. They scored two goals and conceded 12.
Eswatini have a tough test to overturn the deficit from the opening leg, but they have the advantage of playing the reverse match at home. Can they make it count?
Eritrea Bounced back with a Big Win
Eritrea celebrated their return to the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying rounds with a 2-0 victory over Eswatini last week.
Before that, Eritrea faced Niger A in two international friendlies in May 2025, drawing 0-0 and losing 1-0.
The Red Sea Camels have won one of their last five fixtures, with three defeats and one draw. They have scored two goals and conceded five.
Eritrea will aim to exploit the poor form of Eswatini in the second leg to record back-to-back victories and advance to the next phase of qualifying.
Eswatini vs Eritrea Squads
Eswatini
Goalkeepers: Mlamuli Makhanya, Qinisio Nyawo
Defenders: Lindo Mkhonta, Kwakhe Thwala, Gift Gamede, Thulane Njingane, Simanga Masangane, Philiso Newman
Midfielders: Mpendulo Thomo, Innocent Dlamini, Junior Magagula, Philani Mkhonto, Bongwa Matsebula, Neliswa Dlamini, Alakhe Mdluli, Innocent Pakule
Forwards: Justice Figareido, Hleliso Gamede, Joseph Kiponge, Malangeni Dlamini
Eritrea
Siem Eyob-Abrha scored the opening goal after 81 minutes of play.
Ali Suleiman scored the second goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.
Goalkeepers: Awet Maharena, Kibrom Solomon, Yonathan Sultan
Defenders: Jamal Ali, Nahom Awet, Wedeh Beshaye, Victor Fors, Jonas Idris, Yosief Tsegay
Midfielders: Namrud Embaye, Nahom Girmai Netabay, Medhane Redie, Nahom Tadesse, Tesfaldet Tekie, Ablelom Teklezgyi, Aethan Yohannes
Forwards: Romel Abdu, Filimon Gerezgiher, Awet Alemseghed, Amanuel Benhur, Siem Eyob-Abrha, Oliver Hintsa, Fahmi Ibrahim, Ali Suleiman, Nobel Gebrezgi