Seven Eritrean Players Go Missing in South Africa After AFCON Win

Seven members of the Eritrea national football team have reportedly failed to return home after their side's 2-1 away win over Eswatini sealed a 4-1 aggregate victory and a place in the AFCON qualifying group stage for the first time in 19 years. Of the 24-player squad, only 10 were based in Eritrea, and just three of those have returned. Among the missing are goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and experienced winger Medhanie Redie. The incident follows a long pattern: since 2009, more than 60 Eritrean football players have fled during international matches, previously forcing the federation to withdraw from major competitions.

7 April 2026 · 3 sources · AI-generated, human-reviewed

Seven members of the Eritrea national football team have reportedly failed to return home after their side’s historic victory over Eswatini in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The match was played in South Africa.

Why it matters: The disappearances follow a pattern stretching back nearly two decades that speaks to conditions inside one of Africa’s most closed states.

The match

Eritrea beat Eswatini 2-1 away on Saturday, sealing a 4-1 aggregate win and booking a place in the AFCON qualifying group stage for the first time in 19 years. It was a landmark result for the national team.

Who is missing

Of the 24-player squad, only 10 were based in Eritrea. Just three of those — including captain Ablelom Teklezghi — have returned. Among the missing are goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and experienced winger Medhanie Redie. Their exact whereabouts are unknown, though reports indicate some may still be in South Africa.

A recurring pattern

Since 2009, more than 60 Eritrean football players have fled during international matches. The pattern has previously forced the Eritrean Football Federation to withdraw from major competitions including World Cup and AFCON qualifiers.

Eritrea operates an indefinite national service system that the United Nations has compared to forced labour. International sporting events have long provided one of the few opportunities for citizens to leave the country.