Eritrea Ends 18-Year Wait for Foreign Coach with Hashim Yakin Appointment

For the first time since 2008, the Red Sea Boys will be led by a foreign hand following the appointment of Egypt’s Hashim Yakin as head coach.

The decision comes at a critical juncture as the nation prepares for the 2027 AFCON preliminary qualifiers.

Yakin’s arrival is viewed as a strategic upgrade aimed at breaking Eritrea’s long-standing absence from the continental stage.

Interestingly, Yakin becomes only the second Egyptian to hold the post, trailing Mushir Osman (1998–1999), and only the second non-Eritrean African to ever manage the team.

The task ahead for Yakin is to side past Eswatini in the preliminary AFCON round.

If successful, Eritrea will move one step closer to the group stages of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, carrying the hopes of a nation eager for a footballing resurgence.