Eritrea has announced plans to increase security measures for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Kenya and South Africa. This decision comes after at least seven Eritrean players defected during their team's international trip to Eswatini for a preliminary tie. The incidents have raised concerns about player safety and the country's authoritarian regime.
The Eritrean national team previously secured a 4-1 aggregate win against Eswatini in their March preliminary encounter. However, the milestone was overshadowed by the mass defection of players. Eritrea is regarded as one of the least democratic nations globally, and football within the country is heavily impacted by these conditions. Players are subject to strict regulations that prevent them from leaving without prior government authorization.
The Eritrean Football Federation (ENFF) President, Paulos W/Haimanot, recently held a press conference in Asmara to address the upcoming fixtures. W/Haimanot announced plans to integrate more dual-nationality and overseas-based players into the squad. This strategic shift aims to curb the increasing rate of defections, as some national team members have used international fixtures as an opportunity to leave the country.
The Eritrean head of state has personally mandated heightened surveillance of players during their travels to Kenya and South Africa. Locally-based players will be assigned dedicated minders to monitor their movements throughout the training camp. This move directly responds to past incidents where players made unauthorized exits during international assignments.
Over the years, numerous Eritrean players have sought asylum and vanished while on international duty across various host countries. In 2006, four players defected in Nairobi, Kenya. In 2007, up to 12 players defected in Tanzania, and six players defected in Angola. More recently, in 2019, four players defected in Uganda, and in 2021, five players defected during a U-20 women's tournament.
The seven players who defected during the Eswatini match are still in the country and were initially housed by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) at the Lobamba Technical Centre. Although earlier reports suggested they were training with Mbabane Swallows, the deal ultimately collapsed. The Eswatini Football Association has been accommodating the players.
Eritrea will begin their group fixtures against Kenya in Nairobi on September 26, followed by a match against Bafana Bafana in Cairo on September 30. With increased security measures in place, the team aims to prevent further incidents and focus on their qualifying campaign. The ENFF is taking steps to ensure player safety and prevent future defections.
Key points
- Eritrea tightens security for upcoming AFCON qualifying matches against Kenya and South Africa.
- Seven Eritrean players defected during their team's international trip to Eswatini.
- The Eritrean government has mandated heightened surveillance of players during their travels.
