Eritrea’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign is in jeopardy after seven locally-based players vanished following their 4-1 aggregate win over Eswatini on March 31.
Only three of the 10 domestic players returned home, with CAF confirming the group went missing during transit through South Africa before reaching Cairo.
The absentees include goalkeepers Kibrom Solomon and Awet Maharena, defenders Wedeb Fessehaye, Yosief Tsegay and Nahom Awet, plus midfielder Medhane Redie and striker Amanuel Benhur.
Their disappearance continues a long pattern of Eritrean footballers defecting abroad, often citing indefinite military service and repression at home.
The setback threatens Eritrea’s place in the group-stage qualifiers for the 2027 finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, undermining hopes of a footballing revival after nearly two decades of isolation.
