Eritrea’s participation in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers is now uncertain. Seven players disappeared after a match in Eswatini last month. The team had secured a 4-1 aggregate victory on 31 March. As a result, they qualified for the group-stage qualifiers. However, events quickly took a troubling turn. Of the 24 players, only 10 were based in Eritrea.
Furthermore, only three of those returned home. According to a Confederation of African Football official, confusion surrounds the incident.
“This incident is a mystery. Eritrea beat Eswatini on March 31 in Lobamba, and no one seems certain what happened thereafter,” he said.
“We believe all the players left Eswatini for South Africa. But when the travelling party landed in Cairo, seven players were missing.”
Team Composition and Match Details
Eritrea’s new coach, Hesham Yakan, selected a 24-man squad. He previously played for Egypt in the 1990 World Cup. The squad included 14 overseas-based players from several countries. These countries included Australia, England, Germany, and the Netherlands. Ali Suleiman, who plays in Egypt, scored three goals. He helped Eritrea win both legs, 2-0 and 2-1.
Due to stadium limitations, Eritrea hosted their home leg in Morocco. They played the match in Meknes instead of at home. The defectors included veteran midfielder Medhane Redie and striker Amanuel Benhur. Meanwhile, only three local players returned to Asmara. These players were Ablelom Teklezghi, Nahom Tadese, and Romel Abdu.
Rising Defections and Underlying Issues
Eritrea still secured a place in the group-stage draw. The 2027 tournament will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. However, player defections remain a growing concern. Over the past 20 years, many athletes have fled while abroad.
The United Nations estimates around 80 individuals have sought asylum. These include players, coaches, and officials. They often defect during trips to African countries. The main reason cited is indefinite military service.
This policy begins after completing school. Eritrea has been led by President Isaias Afwerki since 1993. Human rights organisations often describe his government as “highly repressive.”
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