JOHANNESBURG, April 10 — Only three of 10 local footballers in an Eritrea squad returned home after a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, a Confederation of African Football...
Eritrea n boys playing football in a street in downtown, Semien-Keih-Bahri, Keren, Eritrea . Seven members of the Eritrea n football squad seemed to have disappeared after arriving in South Africa en route from Eswatini to Eritrea via Egypt from winning the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on April 8, 2026.
— AFP picand enjoy FREE RM10 & when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with min. cash of RM100 today! T&Cs apply.JOHANNESBURG, April 10 — Only three of 10 local footballers in an Eritrea squad returned home after a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, a Confederation of African Football official told AFP on Wednesday. The other seven are believed to have disappeared when the national team arrived in South Africa en route from Eswatini to Eritrea via Egypt, said the official, who requested anonymity. “This incident is a mystery. Eritrea beat Eswatini on March 31 in Lobamba and no one seems certain what happened thereafter,” he said. “We believe all the players left Eswatini for South Africa. But when the travelling party landed in Cairo, seven players were missing.” A member of the Eritrean community in South Africa told AFP he had seen several of the missing footballers in Johannesburg, but declined to give further details, citing safety concerns. AFP understands the seven missing players include goalkeepers Kibrom Solomon and Awet Maharena and defenders Wedeb Fessehaye, Yosief Tsegay and Nahom Awet. Veteran midfielder Medhane Redie and striker Amanuel Benhur were the other defectors, who have joined dozens of Eritrean footballers who abandoned national teams when in other African states. Those who returned to Asmara were captain Ablelom Teklezghi, fellow midfielder Nahom Tadese and striker Romel Abdu. The United Nations estimates about 80 Eritreans involved in football, including players, coaches and officials, have defected during the past 20 years. Indefinite military service after completing schooling is cited as the main reason for the defections from the east African country. Eritrea has been governed by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and human rights groups consistently describe his rule as “highly repressive”.Recently appointed Eritrea coach Hesham Yakan, a defender in the Egypt 1990 World Cup squad, chose 24 players, including 14 based abroad, for the two-leg preliminary qualifier against Eswatini. His selection included Eritreans based in Australia, Egypt, England, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines and Sweden. Ali Suleiman from Egyptian top-flight side Ismailia Electricity Club scored three goals as Eritrea won 2-0 and 2-1 to qualify for the main qualifying phase, which will comprise 12 four-team groups. The first leg against Eswatini was staged in Moroccan city Meknes because Eritrea does not have an international-standard stadium. It was the first Cup of Nations match involving Eritrea since 2007. Subsequently, they competed in three World Cup qualifying competitions and also several regional tournaments. During trips outside the country, players from both Eritrean senior and under-age national teams regularly disappeared and sought asylum. — AFP
Eritrea Africa Cup Of Nations Isaias Afwerki Eswatini Asmara
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nelydia Senrose Announces Pregnancy After Seven Years of MarriageActress Nelydia Senrose shares the joyous news of her first pregnancy, coinciding with her seventh wedding anniversary with husband Mohd. Hafez Halimi Abdul Hamid. The announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulations from fellow celebrities and fans.
Read more »
Four Individuals Remanded in RM5 Million Corruption ProbeFour individuals, including two lecturers, have been remanded for four days to assist in investigations into alleged corruption related to a RM5 million research project. The suspects, aged in their 40s, were detained after appearing at the Ipoh Magistrate's Court. The investigation, conducted under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, involves allegations of bribery and misuse of research funds at a private higher education institution. The MACC has also frozen 70 bank accounts and seized seven vehicles in connection with the case.
Read more »
GOF intercepts seven-vehicle convoy, 52 undocumented migrants detained in KelantanKOTA BHARU, April 9 — The General Operations Force (GOF) crippled a human smuggling syndicate with the detention of 52 undocumented Myanmar nationals at the Buloh Poh Highway...
Read more »
Seven suspects nabbed after fatal Buntong machete attack, Perak top cop dismisses Klang comparisonsIPOH, April 9 — Police have arrested three more individuals believed to be linked to the recent machete attack in Buntong that left one man dead and two others injured, bringing...
Read more »