Seven members of the Eritrea national football team have reportedly failed to return home following their team’s 2–1 victory over Eswatini in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The win secured Eritrea’s place in the AFCON qualifying group stage for the first time in 19 years.
According to sources close to the squad, only part of the delegation traveled back via South Africa, while seven players, including goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and winger Medhanie Redie, are believed to have absconded.
Of the 24-man squad, only 10 were based in Eritrea, and just three, including team captain Ablelom Teklezghi, have since returned to the country.
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State media in Eritrea provided little information regarding the team’s homecoming, and planned celebrations for the historic achievement were reportedly canceled after news of the missing players emerged.
Photos released by officials showed some team members welcomed by embassy representatives and the Eritrean community in Cairo during a stopover, though only those who completed the journey to Asmara were present.
This incident is not unprecedented. Eritrean athletes have repeatedly failed to return home following international competitions. Previous cases include: