Seven Eritrean Footballers Vanish After Historic AFCON Qualifying Victory
In a startling development, seven players from the Eritrean national football team have failed to return home following a historic victory in Eswatini last week, according to sources close to the team who spoke to the BBC. This incident marks a significant setback for the squad, which had been celebrating its return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying group stage for the first time in 19 years.
Details of the Disappearance
The Eritrean team secured a 2–1 win in Eswatini, resulting in a 4–1 aggregate victory that propelled them into the AFCON qualifying group stages. However, while some members of the squad traveled back from neighboring South Africa, the seven players are reported to have absconded. Their whereabouts remain unclear, though reports suggest some have been seen in South Africa.
Among those believed to have disappeared are goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and veteran winger Medhanie Redie. Sources in Asmara told BBC Tigrinya that only 10 of the 24-man squad were based in Eritrea, and just three of those players—including captain Ablelom Teklezghi—have reportedly returned.
Silence from State Media and Cancelled Celebrations
Eritrea's state media has been unusually silent on the team's return, which would typically be marked by public celebrations. Sources indicated that planned reception activities were cancelled following news of the players' disappearance. Earlier, the spokesperson of Eritrea's Sport and Culture Commission had shared updates on social media, posting images of returning players and staff in Cairo, where the Eritrean embassy and community members organized a reception during their transit. However, only players who later flew back to Asmara were present in these images.
Historical Context of Eritrean Athletes Seeking Asylum
This incident echoes a long-standing pattern of Eritrean athletes failing to return home after international competitions. Rights groups have described the government in Asmara as highly repressive, a claim the authorities deny. Despite its small population, hundreds of thousands of Eritreans have sought asylum abroad over the years.
Notable past cases include:
- In 2019, seven players from the under-20 team went missing after a regional tournament in Uganda.
- In 2015, 10 senior team players refused to return after a World Cup qualifier in Botswana.
- In 2013, 15 players and a team doctor were granted asylum in Uganda after going missing.
- In 2009, nearly the entire senior team—except the coach and an official—failed to return from a tournament in Kenya.
Many Eritrean fans had hoped the recent victory would mark a revival of the country's football fortunes, but this latest development underscores the ongoing challenges faced by athletes in the nation.
