An Ethiopia player on the ball against Cape Verde at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in January 2022. Photo: Happiraphael / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ethiopia’s national football team, the Walias (also called the Walia Ibex), return home on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. They host Senegal in Group J of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign. The match is at Bahir Dar Stadium, and the listed start time is 13:00 GMT.
Tuesday’s game is Ethiopia’s first home match of the group stage, and it comes after a late loss on the road on Friday.
After Friday’s Narrow Loss
The Walias opened Group J with a 1-0 defeat to Sudan on Friday, September 25, 2026. Mohamed Eisa scored in the 86th minute at Juba National Stadium, and that late strike decided a tight contest that had stayed level for most of the game.
On the same night, Mozambique drew 1-1 with Senegal in the group’s other opener. Nicolas Jackson scored for Senegal in the 32nd minute, and Geny Catamo equalized near half-time. After matchday one, Sudan lead with three points, Senegal and Mozambique have one point each, and Ethiopia have zero.
Senegal Under a New Coach
Senegal begin a new era under coach Patrick Vieira, and they are looking for a first win after their opening draw. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) reported that Vieira left star forward Sadio Mane out of his first squad and said the absence was because of a “physical issue.” Senegal’s squad for the window includes attacking players such as Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, and Iliman Ndiaye.
The two nations have not met for about 29 years. Sports Mole wrote that Senegal won 3-0 in a June 1997 AFCON-related meeting, so many younger fans have never seen the two teams play each other.
Home Night in Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region, gives the Walias a home stage close to many of their supporters. Soccer Ethiopia reported in August that CAF gave Bahir Dar Stadium a temporary approval to host this match. The same report said local stadiums had not met CAF standards, so Ethiopia played its home fixtures in other countries for nearly five years. The only break was a brief return to Dire Dawa in March.
The Walias last reached the AFCON finals at the 2021 tournament, which was played in Cameroon in early 2022, and they missed the next two editions. This qualifying campaign is their latest attempt to return to the continental tournament.
Watch
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