Keren — Al-Tahrir have been crowned Eritrean club champions after defeating Red Sea FC in a closely contested final, bringing the 2026 Eritrean Club Championship to a dramatic conclusion.


Al-Tahrir secured the title in Keren following a final that pitted two of Eritrea's most prominent clubs against each other. The victory caps an impressive tournament for the Asmara-based side and gives Al-Tahrir another major domestic honour.

Red Sea, meanwhile, finish the competition as runners-up after an impressive run that saw the club reach the final.

The tournament brought together leading clubs from across Eritrea's regional football structure. Eight teams qualified directly as champions or runners-up from their respective zones, while four additional places were decided through a preliminary qualification stage.

Al-Tahrir's route to the final

Al-Tahrir were among the strongest sides during the competition. In the group stage, they finished at the top of Group 1 with four wins and a draw from five matches, scoring 28 goals and conceding only twice. Red Sea also progressed from the same group, finishing second on goal difference.

The two clubs would ultimately meet again when the tournament reached its decisive stage.

Their meeting in the final provided an appropriate conclusion to a competition that had brought together clubs from across the country and highlighted the depth of Eritrea's domestic game.

Red Sea's strong campaign

Despite the final defeat, Red Sea's performance was one of the outstanding stories of the tournament.

The club had also produced a dominant group-stage campaign, winning four of five matches and scoring 21 goals while conceding only twice. Their progress to the final underlined the club's continued prominence in Eritrean football.

Red Sea's appearance also adds another chapter to a year in which the club has already enjoyed success domestically. The Asmara side won the 2025/26 Eritrean Premier League, claiming the title despite losing 3-2 to Denden on the final day. The league victory was reported as the club's record 15th championship.

A changing domestic landscape

The result also illustrates the competitive nature of Eritrean club football.

While Red Sea remain one of the country's most successful clubs, Al-Tahrir have demonstrated that the domestic honours are not concentrated in one team. The championship victory gives the club another significant achievement and adds further interest to the rivalry between Eritrea's leading sides.

For Eritrean football, the conclusion of the club championship comes at an important time. Attention will now gradually turn from domestic competition to the national team, with the Red Sea Camels preparing for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Kenya and South Africa.

But for Al-Tahrir, the focus is firmly on celebrating a championship victory earned in Keren.

Al-Tahrir are the 2026 Eritrean club champions. Red Sea have taken second place. And after an eventful tournament, Eritrean domestic football has a new champion.