Several members of the Eritrea national team squad have absconded following a 4-1 aggregate win over Eswatini last week to reach the qualifying group stages for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. 

A close team source confirmed the development to the BBC on Monday, noting while some players went back to Eritrea after the match in Lobamba, Eswatini, seven of them fled with their whereabouts currently unknown.

The report stated that 10 out of the 24-man squad selected for Eritrea’s two 2027 AFCON preliminary round matches against Eswatini but only three of them, including captain Ablelom Teklezghi, decided to return home.

Those who have absconded include goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and veteran winger Medhanie Redie, forcing the cancellation of plans that had reportedly been made to celebrate the team following the victory. 

It was Eritrea’s return to competitive football after a 19-year absence. One of the major reasons for the constant withdrawal was the fear of domestic-based players defecting from the one-party state plagued with accusations of repression.

In 2019, seven members of the Eritrean under-20 side fled after playing in the East African regional championship in Uganda. 

Four years earlier, 10 senior players declined returning to Eritrea following a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Botswana. In 2013, 15 players and the team doctor were granted asylum in Uganda after they absconded.