Eritrean football players escape in Uganda

Seven football players representing Eritrea have escaped whilst in Uganda, following a match against their East African rivals in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

The remaining team members have reportedly returned to Eritrea, after a successful campaign which saw the side finish runners-up in the East African regional tournament.

Cecafa spokesperson, Rogers Muindwa, said “The information I have is that seven of them escaped.

“We have already notified the police, the Federation of Uganda Football Association and the embassy.  We are working closely to locate them and I think we shall get them.  They may not have Christmas in Uganda”.

The team’s official Twitter account has published a list of names and accompanying photos of each of the players that have escaped.

This is the not the first time footballers from Eritrea have disappeared whilst on international duty.

Five youth players absconded from their hotel during the Cecafa Under-20s Challenge Cup in October.

Prior to that, ten players refused to return after playing a World Cup qualifying match against Botswana in 2015, whilst in 2013 a total of 15 players plus the team doctor were granted asylum in Uganda during that years Challenge Cup.

But the biggest case was in 2009, when the entire team, apart from the coach and one member of staff, failed to return home from Kenya.

Amnesty International reports that thousands of Eritreans attempt to flee every year, despite an aggressive crackdown by the authorities.

Photo credit: Futaa