Eritrea settle into Nairobi camp ahead of Kenya qualifier

Eritrea have arrived in Nairobi and moved into the final stage of preparations for their AFCON 2027 qualifier against Kenya, with the Red Sea Camels holding their first team meeting before beginning training on Tuesday.

The Eritrean National Football Federation said the squad was in good condition after travelling to Kenya. Players and staff gathered for lunch before the first training session, giving several new members of the group an opportunity to settle into the camp and meet their teammates.

Head coach Hesham Yakan is in Nairobi alongside assistant coach Ermias Tewelde, technical director Daniel Yohannes, team delegate Tesfay Alexander and goalkeeper coach Abraham Melake.

The current group brings together established professionals playing in different leagues and younger Eritrean players emerging from European academy systems. ENFF specifically highlighted players with backgrounds at Ajax Amsterdam and AIK, describing the mix of experience and youth as an important part of the camp.

Not everyone had reached Nairobi by Tuesday. ENFF said additional members of the squad were expected to arrive on Wednesday, after which the coaching staff will have a more complete group for its tactical and physical preparations.

There is also an interesting piece of history behind Saturday's meeting: Eritrea have won each of their last three senior internationals against Kenya.

The Red Sea Camels won 2-1 in Nairobi in September 2006 before defeating Kenya 1-0 in Asmara in June 2007, both during qualification for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

The countries did not meet again at senior level until December 2019, when Eritrea produced a 4-1 victory over defending champions Kenya in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup semi-final in Kampala, reaching the tournament final.

That leaves Eritrea with a 7-2 aggregate score across the last three meetings, although the long gaps between those matches mean the record is best viewed as historical context rather than an indication of what to expect on September 26.