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Only three of the 10 local footballers from the Eritrean squad returned home after Eritrea’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Eswatini, according to a Confederation of African Football (CAF) official.
The remaining seven players are believed to have disappeared after the team arrived in South Africa, en route from Eswatini to Eritrea via Egypt.
“This incident is a mystery,” the CAF official, who requested anonymity, said.
“Eritrea beat Eswatini on March 31 in Lobamba, and no one seems certain what happened thereafter.” The official added that while the squad travelled to South Africa, it was only upon their arrival in Cairo that the seven players were noticed missing.
A member of the Eritrean community in South Africa later reported seeing several of the missing footballers in Johannesburg but refused to provide more details due to safety concerns. The list of missing players includes key figures such as goalkeepers Kibrom Solomon and Awet Maharena, defenders Wedeb Fessehaye, Yosief Tsegay, and Nahom Awet, as well as veteran midfielder Medhane Redie and striker Amanuel Benhur.
The Eritrean players’ disappearances are not unprecedented. Over the past two decades, the United Nations estimates that around 80 Eritreans involved in football, including players, coaches, and officials, have defected while abroad. These defections are often attributed to the mandatory indefinite military service imposed on citizens after completing their education, a highly contentious issue under the long-standing rule of President Isaias Afwerki.
This incident adds to a long history of defections from Eritrean football teams, which has been a recurring issue during international competitions. The Eritrean national team, which last competed in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2007, has seen several players abandon the team while abroad, seeking asylum in other countries.
Despite these setbacks, Eritrea’s football journey continues. Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Hesham Yakan, the team had qualified for the main qualification phase of the 2027 AFCON, after defeating Eswatini 2-0 and 2-1 in the two-leg preliminary qualifiers.
The Eritrean Football Federation has yet to comment on the missing players, as the country faces a history of political and social challenges.
