6.4.2026
Seven Eritrean national teams’ players disappeared in Eswatini after playing an Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Sources close to the team said the seven players might have absconded. The Eritrean team beat Eswatini on 4-1 aggregate to qualify for the group stage of the AFCON qualifiers for the first time in 19 years, but their players disappearance has cast a shadow on their chances and damped their joy.
According to BBC reports only 10 of the 24-man squad were based in Eritrea and just three of those players, including team captain Ablelom Teklezghi, have now returned.
While it is unclear where the missing players have gone, reports say some of them have been seen in South Africa.
Those who have absconded include goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and veteran winger Medhanie Redie.
Eritrea’s state-owned media outlets have been unusually quiet on the victorious team’s return, which would normally be accompanied by a big fanfare.
The spokesperson of Eritrea’s Sport and Culture Commission, who has been providing updates on social media about the recent success of the team, posted pictures of some of the returning players and staff in Egypt, where the Eritrean embassy and community members organised a reception for them.