Ethiopia to play football internationals at home for first time in five years

Ethiopia can play international fixtures at home for the first time in five years after the Confederation of African Football approved the use of its Dire Dawa stadium on Monday.

The Eastern African country of 130 million people has been forced to play matches abroad since 2021 after CAF declared that all three of its main stadiums – in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar and Dire Dawa – failed to meet international standards.

But the second-largest, in Dire Dawa, will host Ethiopia's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round second leg qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe on March 31 after its refurbishment was approved by CAF inspectors, the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) said.

"It's good news for us. From now Dire Dawa international stadium will be able to host matches of the national team," the EFF said on its website.

'Built through cooperation'

"This modern stadium was built through cooperation between Dire Dawa city administration and the Ethiopian Football Federation, and it is prepared to serve national and international competitions."

The EFF have reappointed former international player Yohannes Sahle to prepare the national team for the qualifiers, whose first leg will be held in Sao Tome on March 25.

The winner after two legs will qualify to the group stage of the competition. The finals will be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next year.

Ethiopia, which hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976, finished fifth in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, securing just nine points from 10 matches.