Eritreas African Cup of Nations qualification hangs in the balance

Seven players from Eritrea’s national team failed to return home after their match against Eswatini on March 31. The team, which secured a spot in the group-stage qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations, had 10 locally-based players out of its 24-member squad. Only three of these local players returned.

According to an official from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the seven missing players disappeared when the team arrived in South Africa en route from Eswatini to Egypt. The exact circumstances surrounding their disappearance are unclear, but it is believed that they left Eswatini for South Africa and were not present at the Cairo airport.

Eritrea’s coach, Hesham Yakan, had selected 24 players, including 14 based abroad, for the match against Eswatini. The team won the match 4-1, with Ali Suleiman scoring three goals. This victory secured Eritrea’s spot in the group-stage qualifiers, which will feature 12 four-team groups.

The seven missing players reportedly include goalkeepers Kibrom Solomon and Awet Maharena, as well as defenders Wedeb Fessehaye, Yosief Tsegay, Nahom Awet, veteran midfielder Medhane Redie, and striker Amanuel Benhur. Those who returned to Eritrea were captain Ablelom Teklezghi, fellow midfielder Nahom Tadese, and striker Romel Abdu.

This incident is not the first time that players from Eritrean national teams have disappeared or defected during international matches. In recent years, dozens of Eritrean footballers have abandoned national teams when traveling to other African states. The United Nations estimates that around 80 Eritreans involved in football have defected over the past 20 years.

Eritrea has a history of indefinite military service after completing schooling, which is cited as a reason for defections from the country. President Isaias Afwerki has been in power since Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and human rights groups describe his rule as “highly repressive”.

Source: Al Jazeera