Eritrean players go missing in South Africa after historic AFCON qualification

Since 2009, more than 60 Eritrean football players have fled during international matches, forcing the Eritrean Football Federation to withdraw from major competitions such as the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers. Seven Eritrean football players of the national team have reportedly vanished in South Africa following their historic participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying stage. This marks the first time in 19 years that Eritrea has progressed this far, yet the celebrations have been overshadowed by the players’ refusal to return home after their match against Eswatini.

Out of the ten local-based players who were part of the team, only three — Ablelom Teklezgi, Nahom Tadese, and Romel Abdu—have made their way back to Eritrea. Eritrea, often referred to as “African North Korea,” has long been a hotspot for concerns surrounding human rights and political repression. The national football team’s troubles are not merely reflective of sporting inadequacies but highlight the profound fears the Eritrean government holds about its athletes seeking asylum.

Since 2009, more than 60 Eritrean players have fled during international matches, a trend that has forced the Eritrean Football Federation to withdraw from major competitions such as the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers. The withdrawals are thought to be motivated by a deliberate avoidance of the possible political fallout that comes with international exposure rather than a lack of talent. Eritrea has not played a competitive match since 2019, largely due to the authorities’ reluctance to allow players to take the field overseas where defection is a serious risk.