Ethiopia Set To Play International Matches At Home For First Time In 5 Years

In a significant development for Ethiopian football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the Dire Dawa Stadium for international fixtures, enabling the national team to play at home for the first time in five years. This decision follows the stadium’s refurbishment, which meets international standards.

Ethiopia has been compelled to stage matches abroad since 2021, but the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe on March 31 will mark a new beginning for the national side.

“This is fantastic news,” stated the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF). “The Dire Dawa Stadium will now serve as a venue for both national and international competitions.”

Former player Yohannes Sahle has been reappointed to prepare the team for the crucial qualifiers, with the first leg set to take place in Sao Tome on March 25. The winner of the two-leg tie will advance to the group stage of the competition, which will be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda next year.

Ethiopia previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976 but has faced challenges in recent qualifiers, finishing fifth in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with only nine points from ten matches.