Seven Eritrean Footballers Disappear in South Africa After Historic AFCON Qualifier Win

Seven members of Eritrea’s national football squad have failed to return home after competing in South Africa. They were part of the team that secured a landmark win over Eswatini in the AFCON 2027 qualifier. Sources close to the squad told BBC that only three of the ten players based in Eritrea came back. The remaining seven, including goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and winger Medhanie Redie, are unaccounted for but have reportedly been spotted in South Africa. Eritrean rights groups say such disappearances follow a pattern of athletes seeking asylum abroad. State media in Asmara cancelled planned celebrations for the squad’s return amidst concerns over the missing players. Fans had hoped the victory signalled a revival of Eritrean football. Instead, the latest developments have raised fresh questions about the country’s political and social challenges.

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