In a commanding display of attacking football, Ethiopia took a massive step toward the next round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, defeating São Tomé and Príncipe 3-0 on March 27, 2026.
The first-leg encounter, played at the neutral venue of El Jadida, Morocco, saw the Walia Ibex deliver a clinical performance fueled by a brace from Abel Yalew and a late strike from Kenean Markneh. With the return leg scheduled for March 31 in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia now holds a dominant three-goal advantage, putting them firmly in the driver’s seat to advance to the group stages of the continental showpiece.
From the opening whistle, Ethiopia imposed their will on the match. Playing with a high tempo and relentless pressure, they controlled possession and repeatedly carved open the São Tomé defense. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Abel Yalew, the team’s veteran forward, showcased his predatory instincts.
After a well-worked move down the right flank, a low cross found Yalew unmarked at the far post, where he slotted home calmly to give Ethiopia the lead.
The first half was characterized by Ethiopia’s dominance in the midfield, where captain Shimeles Bekele dictated the flow of the game. Despite several near misses, the Walia Ibex entered the break with a narrow 1-0 advantage, aware that a second goal would be crucial to ease any nerves.
That cushion arrived shortly after the restart. In the 58th minute, Yalew struck again. A swift counter-attack caught São Tomé’s defense out of position, and Yalew received a perfectly timed through ball before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net. The double not only underscored Yalew’s enduring quality but also visibly deflated the opposition.
Ethiopia continued to press, searching for a third goal to all but seal the tie. Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when substitute Kenean Markneh made an immediate impact. Following a scramble in the box, Markneh reacted quickest to a loose ball, smashing a half-volley into the roof of the net from close range to make it 3-0. São Tomé and Príncipe, ranked significantly lower by FIFA, struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the contest.
Their best opportunity came in the 65th minute when a rare defensive lapse allowed a clear shot on goal, but Ethiopian goalkeeper Seid Habtamu was equal to the task, making a sharp save to preserve the clean sheet.
Speaking after the match, Ethiopia’s head coach praised his side’s professionalism, noting that while scoring three goals without conceding is a perfect result, the job is not yet finished and the team must stay focused for the return leg.
That second leg will take place on March 31 at the Dire Dawa Stadium, where Ethiopian fans are expected to turn out in force to cheer their team on. With a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead, the Walia Ibex are now heavy favorites to progress, bringing them one step closer to securing a spot in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
