Missing players jeopardize Eritrea’s historic AFCON return despite win over Eswatini

Eritrea’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations campaign is in crisis after seven players vanished in transit following a preliminary victory over Eswatini, continuing a long history of national team defections.

Eritrea’s footballing comeback faces a major setback after seven players disappeared following their 4-1 aggregate win over Eswatini.

The athletes reportedly went missing during a layover in South Africa while traveling to Asmara.

Only three of the ten locally-based players returned home, leaving the nation’s participation in the group-stage qualifiers uncertain.

A CAF official described the situation to AFP, stating, “This incident is a mystery.”

The defections follow Eritrea’s first international match in six years, ending a long period of isolation.

Historically, dozens of players have sought asylum abroad to avoid indefinite military service under the country’s repressive government.

George Ghebreslassie, an advocate for Eritrean refugees, noted the escape highlights ongoing internal struggles, remarking, “It shows the kind of situation we have in Eritrea. We thought things would change.”