Walias Secure 2027 AFCON Qualifiers Spot with Win over São Tomé and Príncipe

Addis Ababa, March 31, 2026 (FMC) – The Ethiopian national football team claimed a 1-0 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe in the second leg of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preliminary round.

The decisive goal came in the first half from Chernet Gugsa, securing the win for the Walyas at Dire Dawa Stadium this afternoon.

With this result, Ethiopia triumphed 4-0 on aggregate over the two legs, advancing confidently to the group stage of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers features the 12 lowest‑ranked African national teams competing in home‑and‑away ties for six available spots in the group stage. The winners of these matches will join the 42 nations that received direct entry into the group phase of qualifying later in 2026.

Following the preliminary stage, the group stage of the qualifiers will be played across international windows in September, October, and November 2026 to determine which teams advance to the final tournament.

The 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations — TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 — will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, marking the first time the competition is staged across three countries. It is scheduled to take place from 19 June to 18 July 2027.