Seven Eritrean Footballers Reported Missing in South Africa After AFCON 2027 Qualification

In a surprising turn of events, seven players from the Eritrean national football team have reportedly gone missing in South Africa following their historic qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage.

The team had celebrated a 2-1 win over Eswatini in the second leg of the preliminary round, a result that secured Eritrea’s place in the continental tournament. The victory was a significant achievement for the squad, many of whom were drawn from the domestic league.

However, reports indicate that only three of the ten domestic-based players—Ablelom Teklezgi, Nahom Tadese, and Romel Abdu—returned to Eritrea after the match. The remaining seven players have not been accounted for, sparking concern among officials and fans alike.