Seven Eritrean Players Dodge National Camp, Refusing to Return to Their Country After Historic AFCON Qualification
By TUW
Seven players from the Eritrea national football team reportedly dodged their camp in South Africa after helping the team reach the group stage of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying a first for Eritrea in 19 years.
The squad had been in South Africa following their preliminary round victory over Eswatini, winning 4–1 on aggregate to secure their place in the next stage of qualifying. However, only three of the 10 locally based players returned home, while the remaining seven chose not to rejoin the team.
Eritrea has a long history of players defecting or refusing to return from international trips, a factor that has previously led the country to withdraw from competitions or remain inactive for extended periods. These incidents often occur during overseas tournaments and reflect broader challenges faced by athletes in Eritrea, where international matches may be one of the few opportunities to pursue better opportunities abroad.
Despite this setback, the team’s progress marks a historic achievement for Eritrean football, signaling a return to competitive African tournaments after nearly two decades. The Eritrean Football Federation now faces the task of rebuilding the squad while navigating the recurring issue of players absconding during international assignments.
