Eritrea national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Eritrea women's national football team.

This article contains several patronymic names rather than family names. These persons are addressed by their given name, and not by their inherited name.

Eritrea

Nickname(s)	Red Sea Boys [1] [2]
Association	Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach	Alemseged Efrem
Captain	Robel Teklemichael [3]
Most caps	Yidnekachew Shimangus (22)
Top scorer	Berhane Aregai Yonas Fesehaye Yidnekachew Shimangus (5)
Home stadium	Cicero Stadium
FIFA code	ERI
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	NR (19 December 2024) [4]
Highest	121 [5] (August 2007)
Lowest	207 (April–May 2018, September 2019)
First international
Pre-independence   Sudan 1–1 Eritrea (Khartoum, Sudan; 26 June 1992) Post-independence   Seychelles 0–1 Eritrea   (Mumias, Kenya; 29 November 1994)
Biggest win
Djibouti 0–3 Eritrea   (Kampala, Uganda; 13 December 2019)   Kenya 1–4 Eritrea   (Kampala, Uganda; 17 December 2019)
Biggest defeat
Ghana 5–0 Eritrea   (Accra, Ghana; 28 February 1999)   Angola 6–1 Eritrea   (Luanda, Angola; 25 March 2007)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances	12 (first in 1994 )
Best result	Runners-up (2019)

The Eritrea national football team represents Eritrea in men's international football and it is controlled by the Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF). It is nicknamed the Red Sea Boys. It has never qualified for the finals of the FIFA World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations. Asmara side Red Sea FC are the main supplier for the national team and the team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF). Out of 211 national teams in the FIFA men's team world rankings, they are the only one that is unranked.

History

An Eritrean team participated in a friendly tournament in Sudan in 1992, the year before Eritrea achieved independence. ^[6] Eritrea participated in the 1994 CECAFA Cup, organised by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association, ^[6] even though the ENFF was not founded until 1996. ^[7] The first full international was in the 1999 CECAFA Cup, ^{[6] [8]} the year after the ENFF joined the CAF ^[9] and FIFA. ^[7] They participated in the qualifying rounds of the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup, and subsequent editions until 2008. ^[6] They have also appeared intermittently in the CECAFA Cup. ^{[6] [10]}

In the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Eritrea managed a scoreless home draw versus Cameroon and a 1–0 home win over Mozambique. They finished second in their three team group, and advanced to a playoff round where they faced Senegal and Zimbabwe, but ultimately lost all four matches in that final stage.

In the first round of the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup, they were drawn against Nigeria, and were defeated 4–0 in the away leg, ^[11] after a goalless draw at home. ^[12] The coach was Yilmaz Yuceturk. ^[11]

In the first round of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Sudan was Eritrea's first round opponent. Eritrea lost the first leg 3–0, ^[13] before another goalless draw in Asmara. ^[14] The coach was Eritrean Tekie Abraha. ^{[13] [14]}

In group 6 of the qualifiers for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, under the guidance of Romanian Dorian Marin, Eritrea finished second behind Angola, failing to qualify for the final tournament. They beat Kenya twice and drew at home to Angola.

In the first round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Eritrea faced Rwanda. The first leg in Asmara ended in a 1–1 draw (and saw Eritrea's first ever goal in a World Cup qualification match), but Rwanda took the second leg by a score of 3–1.

In the first round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Eritrea faced Botswana. The first leg in Asmara saw Botswana win 2–0, and the second leg in Francistown saw Botswana win 3–1, with Botswana winning 5–1 on aggregate.

In the first round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Eritrea faced Namibia. The first leg in Asmara saw Namibia win 2–1, and the second leg saw Namibia win 2–0; Namibia won 4–1 on aggregate.

Eritrea withdrew from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers ^[15] and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. ^[16]

Withdrawals from major tournament qualifying

On 30 March 2014, Eritrea withdrew from the preliminary round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, ^[17] likely due to a rising number of the Eritrean national team players defecting from Eritrea during away matches. ^[18] They were intended to play against South Sudan, who were awarded a walkover. ^[19]

On 2 March 2022, Eritrea withdrew from the preliminary round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to the lack of a stadium that meets the requirements set by CAF to host its international matches. ^{[20] [15] [16]} They were intended to play against Botswana. ^[21] Botswana were also awarded a walkover.

In November 2023, Eritrea, who were drawn into Group E alongside Morocco, Zambia, Tanzania, Congo and Niger, ^[22] pulled out of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, citing the reason as being the refusal of Zemede Tekle, who is the Eritrean Commissioner for Sports and Culture, to participate in the playoffs. ^{[16] [23] [24]}

Defections

Recent years have seen a high number of refugees leaving Eritrea, ^{[25] [26]} and some athletes travelling to competitions abroad have taken the opportunity to abscond. ^[27] In December 2012, 17 Eritrean footballers and the team's doctor vanished after the CECAFA championship tournament in Uganda and all applied for asylum in the country. ^{[28] [29] [30]} Four players of Red Sea FC defected after a CAF Champions League 2006 match in Nairobi, Kenya, ^[31] and up to 12 members of the national side after the 2007 CECAFA Cup in Tanzania. ^{[25] [32]} Another 6 players sought asylum in Angola in March 2007 after a group 6 qualifying game for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. ^{[33] [34]} Three more players from the national team sought asylum in Sudan. ^[35]

Eritrea withdrew from the 2008 CECAFA Cup, ^[36] and from the common qualifying tournament shared by the 2010 World Cup and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. ^[37] Given the number of players seeking asylum, the Eritrean government began requiring athletes to pay a 100,000 nakfa surety before traveling abroad. ^[31]

Eritrea returned to the 2009 CECAFA Cup in Nairobi. A young squad was assembled with just 12 days' training. ^[36] In Group B, they gained a surprise draw with Zimbabwe, ^[38] lost narrowly to Rwanda, ^[39] and beat Somalia 3–1. ^[40] They were easily beaten 4–0 in the quarter-finals by Tanzania. ^[36] Twelve squad members failed to report for the return flight, and sought the assistance of the Refugee Consortium of Kenya. ^{[25] [26]} They were believed to be in hiding in Eastleigh, an eastern suburb of Nairobi home to many immigrants. ^[41] Nicholas Musonye, the secretary-general of CECAFA, feared that the government might react by refusing to let the team travel abroad in future. ^[26] The twelve players were later granted interim asylum by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kenya. ^[42] Eleven of these players have since travelled to Adelaide in Australia ^[43] with two of them, Samuel Ghebrehiwet and Ambes Sium, signing for Gold Coast United in the A-League in August 2011. ^[44]

In the first round of the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, ten players from the Eritrean football team refused to return home after playing a World Cup qualifying match in Botswana and were granted asylum there. ^[45]

In September 2019, four members of the national Under-20 team sought asylum in Uganda after the team qualified for the semi-finals of a competition. ^[46] A few months later in December, a further seven players selected for the international team refused to return home and sought asylum in Uganda after a tournament. ^[47] In October 2021, five footballers from the country's under-20 women's team also disappeared when on international duty in Uganda. ^[48]

Results and fixtures

Main article: Eritrea national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

2024

Tanzania   v   Eritrea

3 June 2024 (2024-06-03) 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Tanzania

Cancelled

Eritrea

Eritrea   v   Niger

10 June 2024 (2024-06-10) 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Eritrea

Cancelled

Niger

Coaching history

• Tekie Abraha (1991–1996)
• Mushir Osman (1998–1999)
• Tekie Abraha (1999–2000)
• Yılmaz Yücetürk (2000–2002)
• Negash Teklit (2002, caretaker)
• Vojo Gardašević (2002)
• Tekie Abraha (2003)
• Mrad Abdul Tesfay (2004)
• Dorian Marin (2006–2007)
• René Feller (2007–2008)
• Negash Teklit (2009–2012)
• Omar Ahmed Hussein (2013–2015)
• Alemseged Efrem (2015–present) ^[49]

Players

Latest squad

The following players were selected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Namibia on 10 September 2019.^{[ citation needed ]}

Caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2019, after the match against Namibia.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1 GK	Kibrom Solomon	(2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 24)	9	0	Denden
20	1 GK	Abdulahi Abdurahman	(1986-01-01) 1 January 1986 (age 39)	3	0	Red Sea
2	2 DF	Eyob Girmay	(1996-11-12) 12 November 1996 (age 28)	8	0	Denden
3	2 DF	Filmon Tumzghi	(1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 (age 31)	8	0	Denden
4	2 DF	Robel Teklemichael (captain)	(2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 24)	8	0	Ethiopian Coffee
5	2 DF	Herman Fessehaye	(2000-11-10) 10 November 2000 (age 24)	2	0	Red Sea
17	2 DF	Ablelom Teklezgi	(1996-09-01) 1 September 1996 (age 28)	8	0	Red Sea
6	3 MF	Abel Okray	(1996-11-20) 20 November 1996 (age 28)	2	0	Denden
7	3 MF	Yonas Solomon	(1994-06-21) 21 June 1994 (age 30)	7	0	Al-Shorta
8	3 MF	Samiyuma Alexander	(1991-05-16) 16 May 1991 (age 33)	3	0	Free agent
11	3 MF	Senai Hagos	(1992-12-02) 2 December 1992 (age 32)	0	0	Åsane
14	3 MF	Christoffer Forsell	(1994-02-19) 19 February 1994 (age 30)	0	0	Free agent
13	3 MF	Sammy Simon	(1998-05-17) 17 May 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Free agent
16	3 MF	Mohammed Saeid	(1990-12-24) 24 December 1990 (age 34)	1	0	Örebro
18	3 MF	Robel Asfaha	(1987-01-31) 31 January 1987 (age 37)	0	0	Sundbybergs
19	3 MF	Alexander Andue	(1998-06-05) 5 June 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Stocksund
9	4 FW	Henok Goitom	(1984-09-22) 22 September 1984 (age 40)	4	1	Retired (assistant manager of AIK)
10	4 FW	Ali Sulieman	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 25)	8	3	Hawassa City
12	4 FW	Ezana Kahsay	(1994-11-16) 16 November 1994 (age 30)	1	0	Mławianka Mława
15	4 FW	Ermias Tekie Simon	(1986-09-29) 29 September 1986 (age 38)	0	0	Hallonbergens

Player records

As of 22 January 2020 ^[50]

Players in bold are still active with Eritrea.

Most appearances

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Yidnekachew Shimangus	22	5	1998–2007
2	Yonas Fesehaye	19	5	1999–2007
3	Natnael Mesfun Zeru	16	0	1998–2003
4	Abel Afeworki	13	0	1998–2002
5	Efrem Bain Kaleb	12	0	1998–2006
6	Fassil Abreha	11	3	1999–2003
	Berhane Aregai	11	5	2002–2007
8	Elias Debesa	9	0	1999–2007
	Amanuel Iyassu	9	1	1998–2000
	Kibrom Solomon	9	0	2019–present
	Ali Sulieman	9	3	2019–present
	Robel Teklemichael	9	0	2019–present
	Ablelom Teklezghi	9	0	2019–present
	Robel Kidane Tesfamichael	9	0	1999–2000
	Efrem Tewolde	9	0	1998–1999
	Filmon Tumzghi	9	0	2019–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Berhane Aregai	5	11	0.45	2002–2007
	Yonas Fesehaye	5	19	0.26	1999–2007
	Yidnekachew Shimangus	5	22	0.23	1998–2007
4	Testfaldet Goitom	3	8	0.38	2003–2009
	Ali Sulieman	3	9	0.33	2019–present
	Fassil Abreha	3	11	0.27	1999–2003
7	Elmon Temekribon	2	1	2	2007
	Robel Kidane	2	7	0.29	2015–present
	Suleman Mohamed	2	7	0.29	2003–2007
	Abiel Okbay	2	8	0.25	2019–present

Competition records

FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Qualification Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA 1930 to 1938 Part of   Italy Part of   Italy 1950 to 1990 Part of   Ethiopia Part of   Ethiopia 1994 to 1998 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member 2002 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 4 2006 2 0 1 1 0 3 2010 Did not enter Did not enter 2014 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 4 2018 2 0 0 2 1 5 2022 2 0 0 2 1 4 2026 Withdrew Withdrew 2030 To be determined To be determined 2034 Total – 0/7 – – – – – – 10 0 3 7 4 20 Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA 1957 Part of   Ethiopia Part of   Ethiopia 1959 1962 1963 1965 1968 1970 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 Not affiliated with CAF Not affiliated with CAF 1996 1998 2000 Withdrew 9 1 1 7 4 22 2002 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 6 2004 6 1 0 5 1 7 2006 2 0 1 1 0 3 2008 6 2 3 1 5 8 2010 Withdrew Withdrew 2012 Did not enter Did not enter 2013 2015 Withdrew Withdrew 2017 Did not enter Did not enter 2019 2021 2023 Withdrew Withdrew 2025 Excluded Excluded 2027 To be determined To be determined Total – 0/35 – – – – – – 25 5 5 15 13 46

CECAFA Cup

Main article: CECAFA Cup

CECAFA Cup record
Appearances: 12
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973 to 1992	Part of   Ethiopia
1994	Fourth place	4th	5	2	1	2	3	2
1995	Did not enter
1996
1999	Group stage	11th	2	0	0	2	2	6
2000		8th	4	0	1	3	4	15
2001		11th	3	0	0	3	3	17
2002	Did not enter
2003
2004
2005	Group stage	10th	4	0	0	4	2	18
2006		11th	3	0	0	3	0	10
2007	Quarter-finals	8th	4	2	0	2	8	8
2008	Group stage	10th	4	0	1	3	2	13
2009		12th	3	0	0	3	0	13
2010	Did not enter
2011	Group stage	11th	3	0	0	3	2	10
2012	Did not enter
2013
2015	Group stage	11th	3	0	0	3	0	9
2017	Did not enter
2019	Runners-up	2nd	6	3	1	2	8	6
Total	0 Titles	12/40	44	7	4	33	34	127

All-time record

Key

Pld = Matches played W = Matches won D = Matches drawn L = Matches lost

GF = Goals for GA = Goals against GD = Goal differential Countries are listed in alphabetical order

As of 25 January 2020 ^[51]

  Positive Record  Neutral Record  Negative Record

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Angola	2	0	1	1	2	7	−5
Botswana	2	0	0	2	1	5	−4
Burundi	4	1	2	1	3	3	+0
Cameroon	2	0	1	1	0	1	−1
Djibouti	2	2	0	0	6	2	+4
Eswatini	2	0	2	0	0	0	0
Ghana	1	0	0	1	0	5	−5
Kenya	10	3	1	6	11	14	−3
Mali	2	0	0	2	0	3	3
Malawi	1	0	0	1	2	3	−1
Mozambique	2	1	0	1	2	3	−1
Namibia	2	0	0	2	1	4	−3
Nigeria	2	0	1	1	0	4	−4
Rwanda	10	0	2	8	7	16	−9
Senegal	2	0	0	2	2	8	−6
Seychelles	3	2	0	1	2	1	+1
Somalia	3	1	2	0	3	1	+2
Sudan	12	3	2	7	7	20	−13
Tanzania	4	0	1	3	1	7	−6
Uganda	8	1	2	5	6	17	−11
Yemen	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3
Zanzibar	2	0	1	1	0	3	−3
Zimbabwe	5	0	1	4	0	8	−8
Total	84	14	19	51	57	139	−82

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External links

• Eritrea at CAF
• Eritrea at FIFA