Walias Return to Dire Dawa for AFCON Qualifier Clash

The long-standing exile of the Ethiopian national football team has finally come to an end following the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to grant temporary approval to the Dire Dawa International Stadium. For the first time in five years, the Walia Ibexes will host a senior international fixture on home soil, welcoming São Tomé and Príncipe for the return leg of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifier on March 31. This development marks a major milestone for Ethiopian football infrastructure, as the nation’s 130 million fans have been forced to watch "home" games played in neutral venues across Morocco and Malawi since 2021 due to stadium non-compliance.

The homecoming serves as a high-stakes debut for reappointed head coach Yohannes Sahle, who has returned to lead the national side after nearly a decade away. Sahle has opted for a "league-first" philosophy, naming a 23-man squad that leans heavily on the current form of domestic standouts from the CBE Ethiopian Premier League. 

While the core of the team consists of local household names like Sidama Coffee captain Yared Bayeh and top scorer Abel Yalew, the coach has fortified the roster with the clinical international experience of Saudi-based Gatoch Panom and Oman-based striker Kenean Markneh.

However, the reunion with local supporters comes with a significant caveat: the Ethiopia Football Federation confirmed that the match in Dire Dawa will be played behind closed doors as part of the temporary CAF approval terms. Despite the empty stands, the strategic advantage of playing in the domestic climate and on a familiar surface is expected to be a decisive factor in the doubleheader. 

The Walias will first travel to Morocco for the away leg on March 27, looking to secure a favorable result before attempting to seal their advancement to the AFCON group stages on the newly refurbished turf of Dire Dawa.