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{{short description|Men's association football team representing Eritrea}}
{{short description|Men's association football team representing Eritrea}}
{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Eritrea women's national football team}}
{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Eritrea women's national football team}}
{{shortlead|date=May 2024}}
{{Patronymic names||Naming conventions in Ethiopia and Eritrea}}
{{Patronymic names||Naming conventions in Ethiopia and Eritrea}}
{{Infobox National football team
{{Infobox National football team
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| Confederation = [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] (Africa)
| Confederation = [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] (Africa)
| Coach = [[Alemseged Efrem]]
| Coach = [[Alemseged Efrem]]
| Captain = [[Robel Teklemichael]]<ref name="History Makers">{{cite web |title=History Makers: The Red Sea Camels win Silver at the Cecafa Seniors Challenge Cup |url=https://shabait.com/2019/12/21/history-makers-the-red-sea-camels-win-silver-at-the-cecafaseniors-challenge-cup/ |publisher=shabait.com |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022022924/https://shabait.com/2019/12/21/history-makers-the-red-sea-camels-win-silver-at-the-cecafaseniors-challenge-cup/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Captain = [[Robel Teklemichael]]<ref name="History Makers">{{cite web |title=History Makers: The Red Sea Camels win Silver at the Cecafa Seniors Challenge Cup |date=21 December 2019 |url=https://shabait.com/2019/12/21/history-makers-the-red-sea-camels-win-silver-at-the-cecafaseniors-challenge-cup/ |publisher=shabait.com |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022022924/https://shabait.com/2019/12/21/history-makers-the-red-sea-camels-win-silver-at-the-cecafaseniors-challenge-cup/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Most caps = {{nowrap|[[Yidnekachew Shimangus]] (22)}}
| Most caps = {{nowrap|[[Yidnekachew Shimangus]] (22)}}
| Top scorer = [[Berhane Aregai]]<br>Yonas Fesehaye<br>[[Yidnekachew Shimangus]] (5)
| Top scorer = [[Berhane Aregai]]<br>Yonas Fesehaye<br>[[Yidnekachew Shimangus]] (5)
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| shorts2 = FFFFFF
| shorts2 = FFFFFF
| socks2 = FFFFFF
| socks2 = FFFFFF
| First game = ''Pre-independence''<br>{{fb|SUD}} 1–1 '''Eritrea''' {{flagicon|ETH|1975}} <br> ([[Khartoum]], [[Sudan]]; 26 June 1992)<br>''Post-independence''<br>{{fb|Seychelles|1977}} 0–1 {{fb-rt|ERI|1993}}<br>([[Mumias]], [[Kenya]]; 29 November 1994)
| First game = ''Pre-independence''<br>{{fb|SUD}} 1–1 '''Eritrea''' {{flagicon|ETH|1991}} <br> ([[Khartoum]], [[Sudan]]; 26 June 1992)<br>''Post-independence''<br>{{fb|Seychelles|1977}} 0–1 {{fb-rt|ERI|1993}}<br>([[Mumias]], [[Kenya]]; 29 November 1994)
| Largest win = {{fb|Djibouti}} 0–3 {{fb-rt|ERI}}<br>([[Kampala]], [[Uganda]]; 13 December 2019) <br> {{fb|KEN}} 1–4 {{fb-rt|ERI}}<br>([[Kampala]], [[Uganda]]; 17 December 2019)
| Largest win = {{fb|Djibouti}} 0–3 {{fb-rt|ERI}}<br>([[Kampala]], [[Uganda]]; 13 December 2019) <br> {{fb|KEN}} 1–4 {{fb-rt|ERI}}<br>([[Kampala]], [[Uganda]]; 17 December 2019)
| Largest loss = {{fb|Ghana}} 5–0 {{fb-rt|ERI}}<br>([[Accra]], [[Ghana]]; 28 February 1999) <br> {{fb|ANG}} 6–1 {{fb-rt|ERI}} <br> ([[Luanda]], [[Angola]]; 25 March 2007)
| Largest loss = {{fb|Ghana}} 5–0 {{fb-rt|ERI}}<br>([[Accra]], [[Ghana]]; 28 February 1999) <br> {{fb|ANG}} 6–1 {{fb-rt|ERI}} <br> ([[Luanda]], [[Angola]]; 25 March 2007)
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}}
}}


The '''Eritrea national football team''' represents [[Eritrea]] in men's international [[association football|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]] and the [[Africa Cup of Nations]]. Local side [[Red Sea FC]] are the main supplier for the national team and the team represents both [[FIFA]] and [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF).
The '''Eritrea national football team''' represents [[Eritrea]] in men's international [[association football|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==
==History==
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In the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualifiers]], Eritrea faced [[Rwanda national football team|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 [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualifiers]], Eritrea faced [[Rwanda national football team|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 [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|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 [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|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 [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2022 World Cup qualifiers]], Eritrea faced [[Namibia national football team|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.
In the [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2022 World Cup qualifiers]], Eritrea faced [[Namibia national football team|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 qualification|2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Botswana through as Eritrea pull out of Afcon 2023 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/60618499 |access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref> and the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2026 World Cup qualifiers]].<ref name="ERI withdrawal" />
Eritrea withdrew from the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Botswana through as Eritrea pull out of Afcon 2023 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/60618499 |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321151606/https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/60618499 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2026 World Cup qualifiers]].<ref name="ERI withdrawal" />


=== Withdrawals from major tournament qualifying ===
=== Withdrawals from major tournament qualifying ===
On 30 March 2014, Eritrea withdrew from the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Preliminary round|preliminary round]] of the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2014 |title=Eritrea Withdraws from CAN 2015 |url=https://tesfanews.net/eritrea-withdraws-from-can-2015/#:~:text=By%20News%20Agencies%2C,and%20South%20Sudan%20are%20cancelled. |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=TesfaNews}}</ref> likely due to a rising number of the Eritrean national team players defecting from Eritrea during away matches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2014 |title=2015 Africa Cup of Nations: Eritrea withdraw from qualifiers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26818034 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=BBC News}}</ref> They were intended to play against [[South Sudan]], who were awarded a [[walkover]].<ref name="format2">{{cite web |date=24 February 2014 |title=Decisions of CAF Executive Committee on 21.02.2014 |url=http://www.cafonline.com/userfiles/file/a/Press%20release%20exco%2021%20fev%202014%20.pdf |publisher=Cafonline.com}}</ref>
On 30 March 2014, Eritrea withdrew from the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Preliminary round|preliminary round]] of the [[2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2014 |title=Eritrea Withdraws from CAN 2015 |url=https://tesfanews.net/eritrea-withdraws-from-can-2015/#:~:text=By%20News%20Agencies%2C,and%20South%20Sudan%20are%20cancelled. |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=TesfaNews |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110134017/https://tesfanews.net/eritrea-withdraws-from-can-2015/#:~:text=By%20News%20Agencies%2C,and%20South%20Sudan%20are%20cancelled. |url-status=live }}</ref> likely due to a rising number of the Eritrean national team players defecting from Eritrea during away matches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2014 |title=2015 Africa Cup of Nations: Eritrea withdraw from qualifiers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26818034 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=BBC News |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110134017/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26818034 |url-status=live }}</ref> They were intended to play against [[South Sudan]], who were awarded a [[walkover]].<ref name="format2">{{cite web |date=24 February 2014 |title=Decisions of CAF Executive Committee on 21.02.2014 |url=http://www.cafonline.com/userfiles/file/a/Press%20release%20exco%2021%20fev%202014%20.pdf |publisher=Cafonline.com |access-date=10 November 2023 |archive-date=27 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227201137/http://www.cafonline.com/userfiles/file/a/Press%20release%20exco%2021%20fev%202014%20.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>


On 2 March 2022, Eritrea withdrew from the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification preliminary round|preliminary round]] of the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]] due to the lack of a stadium that meets the requirements set by [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] to host its international matches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/60618499|title=Botswana through as Eritrea pull out of Afcon 2023|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name="ERI withdrawal" /> They were intended to play against Botswana.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 January 2022 |title=Road to Cote d'Ivoire 2023 kicks off with Preliminary Draw conducted |url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/road-to-cote-d-ivoire-2023-kicks-off-with-preliminary-draw-conducted |access-date=21 January 2022 |website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]]}}</ref>
On 2 March 2022, Eritrea withdrew from the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification preliminary round|preliminary round]] of the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]] due to the lack of a stadium that meets the requirements set by [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] to host its international matches.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/60618499|title=Botswana through as Eritrea pull out of Afcon 2023|work=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2022 |access-date=2023-11-10|archive-date=2023-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329124542/https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/60618499|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name="ERI withdrawal" /> They were intended to play against Botswana.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 January 2022 |title=Road to Cote d'Ivoire 2023 kicks off with Preliminary Draw conducted |url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/road-to-cote-d-ivoire-2023-kicks-off-with-preliminary-draw-conducted |access-date=21 January 2022 |website=[[Confederation of African Football|CAFOnline.com]] |archive-date=21 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121181739/https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/road-to-cote-d-ivoire-2023-kicks-off-with-preliminary-draw-conducted |url-status=live }}</ref>


In November 2023, Eritrea, who were drawn into [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group E|Group E]] alongside [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]], [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]], [[Tanzania national football team|Tanzania]], [[Congo national football team|Congo]] and [[Niger national football team|Niger]],<ref name="ExCon">{{cite web |date=19 May 2023 |title=CAF Executive Committee approves FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers calendar and announces TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 Final Draw date |url=https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-executive-committee-approves-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-calendar-and-ann |access-date=15 July 2023 |website=cafonline.com |publisher=[[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]}}</ref> pulled out of the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|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.<ref name="ERI withdrawal">{{cite web |title=Eritrea Pull Out Of 2026 World Cup Qualifier |url=http://dehai.org/dehai/dehai-news/494254 |website=Dehai News |publisher=Dehai News |access-date=9 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67382783|title=Eritrea withdraw from 2026 World Cup qualifiers|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67474407|title=The country that does not play international football|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
In November 2023, Eritrea, who were drawn into [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group E|Group E]] alongside [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]], [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]], [[Tanzania national football team|Tanzania]], [[Congo national football team|Congo]] and [[Niger national football team|Niger]],<ref name="ExCon">{{cite web |date=19 May 2023 |title=CAF Executive Committee approves FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers calendar and announces TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023 Final Draw date |url=https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-executive-committee-approves-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-calendar-and-ann |access-date=15 July 2023 |website=cafonline.com |publisher=[[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601162638/https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-executive-committee-approves-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-calendar-and-ann |url-status=live }}</ref> pulled out of the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|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.<ref name="ERI withdrawal">{{cite web |title=Eritrea Pull Out Of 2026 World Cup Qualifier |url=http://dehai.org/dehai/dehai-news/494254 |website=Dehai News |access-date=9 November 2023 |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214035025/http://dehai.org/dehai/dehai-news/494254 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67382783|title=Eritrea withdraw from 2026 World Cup qualifiers|work=BBC Sport |date=10 November 2023 |access-date=2023-11-25|archive-date=2023-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125121549/https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67382783|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67474407|title=The country that does not play international football|work=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2023 |access-date=2023-11-25|archive-date=2023-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204115235/https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67474407|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Defections===
===Defections===
Recent years have seen a high number of [[refugee]]s leaving Eritrea,<ref name="cnn15122009"/><ref name="odula"/> and some athletes travelling to competitions abroad have taken the opportunity to abscond.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/eritrea/6817481/Eritrean-football-team-missing-after-match-in-Kenya.html |title=Eritrean football team missing after match in Kenya |last=Pflanz |first=Mike |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=London |archive-date=17 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217021134/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/eritrea/6817481/Eritrean-football-team-missing-after-match-in-Kenya.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oryada|first=Andrew Jackson|title=Eritrean players seek asylum in Uganda|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20610675|access-date=20 December 2013|date=5 December 2012|publisher=BBC|archive-date=27 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427094843/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20610675|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Nakiyimba|first=Gloria|title=Eritrea's football team seek asylum in Uganda, citing persecution|url=http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20121206-eritreans-football-players-seek-asylum|access-date=20 December 2013|newspaper=RFI English|date=6 December 2012|archive-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221003004/http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20121206-eritreans-football-players-seek-asylum|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Oryada|first=Andrew Jackson|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20580007|title=Eritrea players missing in Uganda after regional championship|date=4 December 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=20 December 2013|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102220948/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20580007|url-status=live}}</ref>
Recent years have seen a high number of [[refugee]]s leaving Eritrea,<ref name="cnn15122009"/><ref name="odula"/> and some athletes travelling to competitions abroad have taken the opportunity to abscond.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/eritrea/6817481/Eritrean-football-team-missing-after-match-in-Kenya.html |title=Eritrean football team missing after match in Kenya |last=Pflanz |first=Mike |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=London |archive-date=17 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217021134/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/eritrea/6817481/Eritrean-football-team-missing-after-match-in-Kenya.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oryada|first=Andrew Jackson|title=Eritrean players seek asylum in Uganda|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20610675|access-date=20 December 2013|date=5 December 2012|publisher=BBC|archive-date=27 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427094843/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20610675|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Nakiyimba|first=Gloria|title=Eritrea's football team seek asylum in Uganda, citing persecution|url=http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20121206-eritreans-football-players-seek-asylum|access-date=20 December 2013|newspaper=RFI English|date=6 December 2012|archive-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221003004/http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20121206-eritreans-football-players-seek-asylum|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Oryada|first=Andrew Jackson|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20580007|title=Eritrea players missing in Uganda after regional championship|date=4 December 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=20 December 2013|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102220948/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20580007|url-status=live}}</ref>
Four players of [[Red Sea FC]] defected after a [[CAF Champions League 2006]] match in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]],<ref name="afp15122009">{{Cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g597NzDJhD9NKdqoqa9hod7-LqIQ |title=Eritrea players go missing in Kenya |date=14 December 2009 |publisher=AFP |access-date=15 December 2009 |archive-date=21 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221033250/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g597NzDJhD9NKdqoqa9hod7-LqIQ |url-status=live }}</ref> and up to 12 members of the national side after the [[2007 CECAFA Cup]] in [[Tanzania]].<ref name="cnn15122009">{{Cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/12/15/football.cecafa.eritrea.kenya/ |location=London |title=Kenyan police search for missing footballers |last=Wyatt |first=Ben |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=CNN |access-date=15 December 2009 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019100157/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/12/15/football.cecafa.eritrea.kenya/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{Cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/12/16/2080.ap.soc.eritrea.defections.1st.ld.writethru.0276/ |title=Official: Players say death awaits them in Eritrea|date=16 December 2009|website=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |access-date=17 December 2009}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Another 6 players sought asylum in Angola in March 2007 after a [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group 6|group 6 qualifying game]] for the [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref name="angola">{{Cite news|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/24860|title=Eritrean footballers join row of asylum seekers|date=27 March 2007|website=afrol.com|access-date=15 December 2009|archive-date=6 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006142729/http://www.afrol.com/articles/24860|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bbc-angola">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6499987.stm|title=Angola considers asylum claims|date=28 March 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=17 December 2009|archive-date=8 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708141346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6499987.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Three more players from the national team sought asylum in [[Sudan]].<ref name="sudan">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4216 |title=Three Eritrean Players Seek Asylum in Sudan |date=25 November 2009 |website=Sudan Vision |access-date=18 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716162529/http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4216 |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}</ref>
Four players of [[Red Sea FC]] defected after a [[CAF Champions League 2006]] match in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]],<ref name="afp15122009">{{Cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g597NzDJhD9NKdqoqa9hod7-LqIQ |title=Eritrea players go missing in Kenya |date=14 December 2009 |publisher=AFP |access-date=15 December 2009 |archive-date=21 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221033250/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g597NzDJhD9NKdqoqa9hod7-LqIQ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and up to 12 members of the national side after the [[2007 CECAFA Cup]] in [[Tanzania]].<ref name="cnn15122009">{{Cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/12/15/football.cecafa.eritrea.kenya/ |location=London |title=Kenyan police search for missing footballers |last=Wyatt |first=Ben |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=CNN |access-date=15 December 2009 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019100157/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/12/15/football.cecafa.eritrea.kenya/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{Cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/12/16/2080.ap.soc.eritrea.defections.1st.ld.writethru.0276/ |title=Official: Players say death awaits them in Eritrea|date=16 December 2009|website=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |access-date=17 December 2009}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Another 6 players sought asylum in Angola in March 2007 after a [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group 6|group 6 qualifying game]] for the [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref name="angola">{{Cite news|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/24860|title=Eritrean footballers join row of asylum seekers|date=27 March 2007|website=afrol.com|access-date=15 December 2009|archive-date=6 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006142729/http://www.afrol.com/articles/24860|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bbc-angola">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6499987.stm|title=Angola considers asylum claims|date=28 March 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=17 December 2009|archive-date=8 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708141346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6499987.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Three more players from the national team sought asylum in [[Sudan]].<ref name="sudan">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4216 |title=Three Eritrean Players Seek Asylum in Sudan |date=25 November 2009 |website=Sudan Vision |access-date=18 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716162529/http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4216 |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}</ref>


Eritrea withdrew from the [[2008 CECAFA Cup]],<ref name="standard09122009"/> and from [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|the common qualifying tournament]] shared by the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] and the [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=720341.html |title=Eritrea withdraw from qualifiers |date=25 March 2008 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=15 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002111/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid%3D720341.html |archive-date=1 April 2008 }}
Eritrea withdrew from the [[2008 CECAFA Cup]],<ref name="standard09122009"/> and from [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|the common qualifying tournament]] shared by the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] and the [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=720341.html |title=Eritrea withdraw from qualifiers |date=25 March 2008 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=15 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401002111/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid%3D720341.html |archive-date=1 April 2008 }}
</ref> Given the number of players seeking asylum, the Eritrean government began requiring athletes to pay a 100,000 [[Eritrean nakfa|nakfa]] [[surety]] before traveling abroad.<ref name="afp15122009"/>
</ref> Given the number of players seeking asylum, the Eritrean government began requiring athletes to pay a 100,000 [[Eritrean nakfa|nakfa]] [[surety]] before traveling abroad.<ref name="afp15122009"/>


Eritrea returned to the [[2009 CECAFA Cup]] in Nairobi. A young squad was assembled with just 12 days' training.<ref name="standard09122009"/> In Group B, they gained a surprise draw with [[Zimbabwe national football team|Zimbabwe]],<ref name="standard-zimbabwe">{{Cite web |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029449&cid=38& |title=Zimbabwe held 0–0 by Eritrea |last=Pilipili |first=Oscar |date=12 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=Nairobi |archive-date=14 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314134254/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029449&cid=38& |url-status=live }}</ref> lost narrowly to [[Rwanda national football team|Rwanda]],<ref name="standard-rwanda">{{Cite news |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029624&cid=38& |title=Eritrean goalkeeper's effort not good enough |last=Toskin |first=Robin |date=4 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=Nairobi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055611/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029624&cid=38& |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and beat [[Somalia national football team|Somalia]] 3–1.<ref name="standard-somalia">{{Cite news |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029771&cid=38& |title=Eritrea crush Somalia as Rwanda pip Zims |date=6 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=Nairobi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007235215/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029771&cid=38& |archive-date=7 October 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> They were easily beaten 4–0 in the quarter-finals by [[Tanzania national football team|Tanzania]].<ref name="standard09122009">{{Cite news|url=http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144029948&cid=38 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219083535/http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144029948&cid=38 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2014 |title=Tanzania hit Eritrea to make semi-final |last=Wandera |first=Gilbert |date=9 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009|location=Nairobi }}</ref> Twelve squad members failed to report for the return flight, and sought the assistance of the [[Refugee Consortium of Kenya]].<ref name="cnn15122009"/><ref name="odula"/> They were believed to be in hiding in [[Eastleigh, Nairobi|Eastleigh]], an eastern suburb of Nairobi home to many immigrants.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/12/15/1221s535842.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709122857/http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/12/15/1221s535842.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |title=Kenya Searches for 12 "Missing" Eritrean Players |author=Xinhua |date=16 December 2009 |publisher=CRI |access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> Nicholas Musonye, the secretary-general of CECAFA, feared that the government might react by refusing to let the team travel abroad in future.<ref name="odula">{{Cite news|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jQ6cqnwfpCFiXegi62EMlMpArszw |title=12 Eritrea soccer players defect during tournament in Kenya; UN will hear case |last=Odula |first=Tom |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=Canadian Press |access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> The twelve players were later granted interim asylum by the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] in Kenya.<ref name="standard-asylum">{{Cite news |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144030664&cid=4& |title=12 Eritrean footballers granted asylum |last=Ombati |first=Cyrus |date=18 December 2009 |publisher=The Standard |access-date=18 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314134432/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144030664&cid=4& |archive-date=14 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Eleven of these players have since travelled to [[Adelaide]] in Australia<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://assenna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2845:11-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-who-abscond-last-year-in-nairobi-arrive-at-adelaide-city-safely&catid=18:news&Itemid=70|title=Assenna.com – Politics, Culture, Religion|website=assenna.com|language=en-GB|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183727/http://assenna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2845:11-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-who-abscond-last-year-in-nairobi-arrive-at-adelaide-city-safely&catid=18:news&Itemid=70|url-status=live}}</ref> with two of them, [[Samuel Ghebrehiwet]] and [[Ambair Sium|Ambes Sium]], signing for [[Gold Coast United FC|Gold Coast United]] in the [[A-League]] in August 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/213037,gold-coast-sign-refugee-pair.aspx |title=Gold Coast Sign Refugee Pair |work=Australian FourFourTwo |author=Sportal Australia |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=13 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005142626/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/213037%2Cgold-coast-sign-refugee-pair.aspx |archive-date=5 October 2012 }}</ref>
Eritrea returned to the [[2009 CECAFA Cup]] in Nairobi. A young squad was assembled with just 12 days' training.<ref name="standard09122009"/> In Group B, they gained a surprise draw with [[Zimbabwe national football team|Zimbabwe]],<ref name="standard-zimbabwe">{{Cite web |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029449&cid=38& |title=Zimbabwe held 0–0 by Eritrea |last=Pilipili |first=Oscar |date=12 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=Nairobi |archive-date=14 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314134254/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029449&cid=38& |url-status=live }}</ref> lost narrowly to [[Rwanda national football team|Rwanda]],<ref name="standard-rwanda">{{Cite news |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029624&cid=38& |title=Eritrean goalkeeper's effort not good enough |last=Toskin |first=Robin |date=4 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=Nairobi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055611/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029624&cid=38& |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and beat [[Somalia national football team|Somalia]] 3–1.<ref name="standard-somalia">{{Cite news |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029771&cid=38& |title=Eritrea crush Somalia as Rwanda pip Zims |date=6 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009 |location=Nairobi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007235215/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144029771&cid=38& |archive-date=7 October 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> They were easily beaten 4–0 in the quarter-finals by [[Tanzania national football team|Tanzania]].<ref name="standard09122009">{{Cite news|url=http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144029948&cid=38 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219083535/http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144029948&cid=38 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2014 |title=Tanzania hit Eritrea to make semi-final |last=Wandera |first=Gilbert |date=9 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=15 December 2009|location=Nairobi }}</ref> Twelve squad members failed to report for the return flight, and sought the assistance of the [[Refugee Consortium of Kenya]].<ref name="cnn15122009"/><ref name="odula"/> They were believed to be in hiding in [[Eastleigh, Nairobi|Eastleigh]], an eastern suburb of Nairobi home to many immigrants.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/12/15/1221s535842.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709122857/http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/12/15/1221s535842.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |title=Kenya Searches for 12 "Missing" Eritrean Players |author=Xinhua |date=16 December 2009 |publisher=CRI |access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> Nicholas Musonye, the secretary-general of CECAFA, feared that the government might react by refusing to let the team travel abroad in future.<ref name="odula">{{Cite news|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jQ6cqnwfpCFiXegi62EMlMpArszw |title=12 Eritrea soccer players defect during tournament in Kenya; UN will hear case |last=Odula |first=Tom |date=15 December 2009 |publisher=Canadian Press |access-date=15 December 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The twelve players were later granted interim asylum by the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] in Kenya.<ref name="standard-asylum">{{Cite news |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144030664&cid=4& |title=12 Eritrean footballers granted asylum |last=Ombati |first=Cyrus |date=18 December 2009 |publisher=The Standard |access-date=18 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314134432/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144030664&cid=4& |archive-date=14 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Eleven of these players have since travelled to [[Adelaide]] in Australia<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://assenna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2845:11-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-who-abscond-last-year-in-nairobi-arrive-at-adelaide-city-safely&catid=18:news&Itemid=70|title=Assenna.com – Politics, Culture, Religion|website=assenna.com|language=en-GB|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183727/http://assenna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2845:11-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-who-abscond-last-year-in-nairobi-arrive-at-adelaide-city-safely&catid=18:news&Itemid=70|url-status=live}}</ref> with two of them, [[Samuel Ghebrehiwet]] and [[Ambair Sium|Ambes Sium]], signing for [[Gold Coast United FC|Gold Coast United]] in the [[A-League]] in August 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/213037,gold-coast-sign-refugee-pair.aspx |title=Gold Coast Sign Refugee Pair |work=Australian FourFourTwo |author=Sportal Australia |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=13 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005142626/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/213037%2Cgold-coast-sign-refugee-pair.aspx |archive-date=5 October 2012 }}</ref>


In the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualifiers]] for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34534975|title=Eritrean football players seek asylum in Botswana|date=15 October 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=13 July 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104165856/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34534975|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round|first round]] of the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualifiers]] for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34534975|title=Eritrean football players seek asylum in Botswana|date=15 October 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=13 July 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104165856/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34534975|url-status=live}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aarons |first1=Ed |title=‘If they find us it’s death or kidnap’: the Eritrean footballers on the run |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/10/eritrea-footballers-on-the-run-death-kidnap-asylum-hiding-uganda |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605104312/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/10/eritrea-footballers-on-the-run-death-kidnap-asylum-hiding-uganda |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seven Members of the Eritrean National Football Team Have Sought Asylum in Uganda |url=https://hrc-eritrea.org/seven-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-have-sought-asylum-in-uganda/ |publisher=Human Rights Concern Eritrea |access-date=5 June 2022 |date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419175645/https://hrc-eritrea.org/seven-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-have-sought-asylum-in-uganda/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2021, five footballers from the country's under-20 women's team also disappeared when on international duty in Uganda.<ref>{{cite news |title=news Absconded from a Ugandan hotel: fresh case of Eritrean footballers |url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/03/absconded-from-a-ugandan-hotel-fresh-case-of-eritrean-footballers// |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=africanews.com |date=3 November 2021 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708141346/https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/03/absconded-from-a-ugandan-hotel-fresh-case-of-eritrean-footballers// |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aarons |first1=Ed |title='If they find us it's death or kidnap': the Eritrean footballers on the run |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/10/eritrea-footballers-on-the-run-death-kidnap-asylum-hiding-uganda |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605104312/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/10/eritrea-footballers-on-the-run-death-kidnap-asylum-hiding-uganda |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seven Members of the Eritrean National Football Team Have Sought Asylum in Uganda |url=https://hrc-eritrea.org/seven-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-have-sought-asylum-in-uganda/ |publisher=Human Rights Concern Eritrea |access-date=5 June 2022 |date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419175645/https://hrc-eritrea.org/seven-members-of-the-eritrean-national-football-team-have-sought-asylum-in-uganda/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2021, five footballers from the country's under-20 women's team also disappeared when on international duty in Uganda.<ref>{{cite news |title=news Absconded from a Ugandan hotel: fresh case of Eritrean footballers |url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/03/absconded-from-a-ugandan-hotel-fresh-case-of-eritrean-footballers// |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=africanews.com |date=3 November 2021 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708141346/https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/03/absconded-from-a-ugandan-hotel-fresh-case-of-eritrean-footballers// |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Results and fixtures==
==Results and fixtures==
Line 190: Line 191:
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[René Feller]] (2007–2008)
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[René Feller]] (2007–2008)
*{{flagicon|Eritrea}} [[Negash Teklit]] (2009–2012)
*{{flagicon|Eritrea}} [[Negash Teklit]] (2009–2012)
*{{flagicon|Eritrea}} [[Omar Ahmed Hussein]] (2013–2015)
*{{flagicon|Eritrea}} Omar Ahmed Hussein (2013–2015)
*{{flagicon|Eritrea}} [[Alemseged Efrem]] (2015–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=ERI/about.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906145915/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=ERI/about.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2015|title=Eritrea - Association Information - FIFA.com|last=FIFA.com|website=FIFA.com|language=en-GB|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Eritrea}} [[Alemseged Efrem]] (2015–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=ERI/about.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906145915/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=ERI/about.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2015|title=Eritrea – Association Information |last=FIFA.com|website=FIFA.com|language=en-GB|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


Line 216: Line 217:
{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name=[[Christoffer Forsell]]|age={{Birth date and age|1994|2|19|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Free agent|clubnat=}}
{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name=[[Christoffer Forsell]]|age={{Birth date and age|1994|2|19|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Free agent|clubnat=}}
{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=MF|name=[[Sammy Simon]]|age={{Birth date and age|1998|05|17|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Free agent|clubnat=}}
{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=MF|name=[[Sammy Simon]]|age={{Birth date and age|1998|05|17|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Free agent|clubnat=}}
{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name=[[Mohammed Saeid]]|age={{Birth date and age|1990|12|24|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=[[Trelleborgs FF|Trelleborgs]]|clubnat=SWE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name=[[Mohammed Saeid]]|age={{Birth date and age|1990|12|24|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=[[Örebro SK|Örebro]]|clubnat=SWE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name=[[Robel Asfaha]]|age={{Birth date and age|1987|1|31|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[Sundbybergs IK|Sundbybergs]]|clubnat=SWE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name=[[Robel Asfaha]]|age={{Birth date and age|1987|1|31|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[Sundbybergs IK|Sundbybergs]]|clubnat=SWE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=MF|name=[[Alexander Andue]]|age={{Birth date and age|1998|6|5|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[IFK Stocksund|Stocksund]]|clubnat=SWE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=MF|name=[[Alexander Andue]]|age={{Birth date and age|1998|6|5|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[IFK Stocksund|Stocksund]]|clubnat=SWE}}
Line 224: Line 225:
{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=FW|name=[[Ezana Kahsay]]|age={{Birth date and age|1994|11|16|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=[[Podlasie Biała Podlaska]]|clubnat=POL}}
{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=FW|name=[[Ezana Kahsay]]|age={{Birth date and age|1994|11|16|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=[[Podlasie Biała Podlaska]]|clubnat=POL}}
{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=FW|name=[[Ermias Tekie Simon]]|age={{Birth date and age|1986|9|29|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[Hallonbergens IF|Hallonbergens]]|clubnat=SWE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=FW|name=[[Ermias Tekie Simon]]|age={{Birth date and age|1986|9|29|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[Hallonbergens IF|Hallonbergens]]|clubnat=SWE}}
{{nat fs end}}

===Recent call ups===
{{nat fs r start}}
{{nat fs break}}
{{nat fs end}}
{{nat fs end}}


Line 469: Line 465:
|2||0||0||2||1||4
|2||0||0||2||1||4
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} {{flagicon|United States}} ''[[2026 FIFA World Cup|2026]]''
|{{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} {{flagicon|United States}} [[2026 FIFA World Cup|2026]]
|colspan=8|''Withdrew''
|colspan=8|''Withdrew''
|colspan=6|''Withdrew''
|colspan=6|''Withdrew''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|Morocco}} {{flagicon|Portugal}} {{flagicon|Spain}} ''[[2030 FIFA World Cup|2030]]''
|{{flagicon|Morocco}} {{flagicon|Portugal}} {{flagicon|Spain}} [[2030 FIFA World Cup|2030]]
|rowspan=2 colspan=8|''To be determined''
|rowspan=2 colspan=8|''To be determined''
|rowspan=2 colspan=6|''To be determined''
|rowspan=2 colspan=6|''To be determined''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} ''[[2034 FIFA World Cup|2034]]''
|{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[2034 FIFA World Cup|2034]]
|-
|-
!Total||–||{{Tooltip|0/7|Number of tournaments qualified for}}||–||–||–||–||–||–||10||0||3||7||4||20
!Total||–||{{Tooltip|0/7|Number of tournaments qualified for}}||–||–||–||–||–||–||10||0||3||7||4||20
Line 548: Line 544:
|{{flagicon|Burkina Faso}} [[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]]
|{{flagicon|Burkina Faso}} [[1998 African Cup of Nations|1998]]
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|Ghana}} {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]] ||colspan=8 rowspan=5| ''Did not qualify''
|{{flagicon|Ghana}} {{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]] ||colspan=8 rowspan=1| ''Withdrew''
|9
|9
|1
|1
Line 556: Line 552:
|22
|22
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|Mali}} [[2002 Africa Cup of Nations|2002]]
|{{flagicon|Mali}} [[2002 Africa Cup of Nations|2002]] ||colspan=8 rowspan=4| ''Did not qualify''
|2
|2
|1
|1
Line 609: Line 605:
|colspan=6|''Withdrew''
|colspan=6|''Withdrew''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|Morocco}} [[2025 Africa Cup of Nations|2025]] ||colspan=8 rowspan=2|'' To be determined''
|{{flagicon|Morocco}} [[2025 Africa Cup of Nations|2025]] ||colspan=8|''Excluded''
|colspan=6 rowspan=2|'' To be determined''
|colspan=6|''Excluded''
|-
|-
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} {{flagicon|Tanzania}} {{flagicon|Uganda}} [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations|2027]]
|{{flagicon|Kenya}} {{flagicon|Tanzania}} {{flagicon|Uganda}} [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations|2027]]
|colspan=8|''To be determined''
|colspan=6|''To be determined''
|-
|-
!'''Total'''||'''–'''||'''0/36'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''
!'''Total'''||'''–'''||'''0/35'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''||'''–'''
!25
!25
!5
!5
Line 720: Line 718:
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ANG}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 7 || -5
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ANG}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 7 || −5
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BOT}} || 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 5 || -4
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BOT}} || 2 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 5 || −4
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC"
Line 729: Line 727:
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CMR}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || -1
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CMR}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || −1
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 738: Line 736:
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GHA}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 5 || -5
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GHA}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 5 || −5
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|KEN}} || 10 || 3 || 1 || 6 || 11 || 14 || -3
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|KEN}} || 10 || 3 || 1 || 6 || 11 || 14 || −3
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
Line 747: Line 745:
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MWI}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 || -1
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MWI}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 || −1
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MOZ}} || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 || -1
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MOZ}} || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 || −1
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
Line 783: Line 781:
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ZAN}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 3 || -3
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ZAN}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 3 || −3
|-
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ZIM}} || 5 || 0 || 1 || 4 || 0 || 8 || -8
| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ZIM}} || 5 || 0 || 1 || 4 || 0 || 8 || −8
|-
|-
|- class="sortbottom"
|- class="sortbottom"
Line 796: Line 794:


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://enffonline.com/ Eritrea Official]
* [https://www.cafonline.com/member-associations/eri/ Eritrea] at [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
* [https://www.cafonline.com/member-associations/eri/ Eritrea] at [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
* [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/ERI Eritrea] at [[FIFA]]
* [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/ERI Eritrea] at [[FIFA]]
Line 804: Line 801:
{{CAF teams}}
{{CAF teams}}
{{National sports teams of Eritrea}}
{{National sports teams of Eritrea}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eritrea National Football Team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eritrea National Football Team}}
[[Category:Eritrea national football team| ]]
[[Category:Eritrea national football team| ]]
[[Category:African national association football teams]]
[[Category:African national association football teams]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Eritrea]]

Latest revision as of 08:08, 21 July 2024

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
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Red Sea Boys[1][2]
AssociationEritrean National Football Federation (ENFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA
(East & Central Africa)
Head coachAlemseged Efrem
CaptainRobel Teklemichael[3]
Most capsYidnekachew Shimangus (22)
Top scorerBerhane Aregai
Yonas Fesehaye
Yidnekachew Shimangus (5)
Home stadiumCicero Stadium
FIFA codeERI
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
CurrentNR (18 July 2024)[4]
Highest121[5] (August 2007)
Lowest207 (April–May 2018, September 2019)
First international
Pre-independence
 Sudan 1–1 Eritrea Ethiopia
(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
Appearances12 (first in 1994)
Best resultRunners-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

[edit]

An Eritrean team participated in a friendly tournament in Sudan in 1992, the year before Eritrea achieved independence.[7] Eritrea participated in the 1994 CECAFA Cup, organised by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association,[7] even though the ENFF was not founded until 1996.[8] The first full international was in the 1999 CECAFA Cup,[7][9] the year after the ENFF joined the CAF[10] and FIFA.[8] They participated in the qualifying rounds of the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup, and subsequent editions until 2008.[7] They have also appeared intermittently in the CECAFA Cup.[7][11]

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,[12] after a goalless draw at home.[13] The coach was Yilmaz Yuceturk.[12]

In the first round of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Sudan was Eritrea's first round opponent. Eritrea lost the first leg 3–0,[14] before another goalless draw in Asmara.[15] The coach was Eritrean Tekie Abraha.[14][15]

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[16] and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.[17]

Withdrawals from major tournament qualifying

[edit]

On 30 March 2014, Eritrea withdrew from the preliminary round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,[18] likely due to a rising number of the Eritrean national team players defecting from Eritrea during away matches.[19] They were intended to play against South Sudan, who were awarded a walkover.[20]

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.[21][16][17] They were intended to play against Botswana.[22]

In November 2023, Eritrea, who were drawn into Group E alongside Morocco, Zambia, Tanzania, Congo and Niger,[23] 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.[17][24][25]

Defections

[edit]

Recent years have seen a high number of refugees leaving Eritrea,[26][27] and some athletes travelling to competitions abroad have taken the opportunity to abscond.[28] 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.[29][30][31] Four players of Red Sea FC defected after a CAF Champions League 2006 match in Nairobi, Kenya,[32] and up to 12 members of the national side after the 2007 CECAFA Cup in Tanzania.[26][33] Another 6 players sought asylum in Angola in March 2007 after a group 6 qualifying game for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.[34][35] Three more players from the national team sought asylum in Sudan.[36]

Eritrea withdrew from the 2008 CECAFA Cup,[37] and from the common qualifying tournament shared by the 2010 World Cup and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.[38] Given the number of players seeking asylum, the Eritrean government began requiring athletes to pay a 100,000 nakfa surety before traveling abroad.[32]

Eritrea returned to the 2009 CECAFA Cup in Nairobi. A young squad was assembled with just 12 days' training.[37] In Group B, they gained a surprise draw with Zimbabwe,[39] lost narrowly to Rwanda,[40] and beat Somalia 3–1.[41] They were easily beaten 4–0 in the quarter-finals by Tanzania.[37] Twelve squad members failed to report for the return flight, and sought the assistance of the Refugee Consortium of Kenya.[26][27] They were believed to be in hiding in Eastleigh, an eastern suburb of Nairobi home to many immigrants.[42] Nicholas Musonye, the secretary-general of CECAFA, feared that the government might react by refusing to let the team travel abroad in future.[27] The twelve players were later granted interim asylum by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kenya.[43] Eleven of these players have since travelled to Adelaide in Australia[44] with two of them, Samuel Ghebrehiwet and Ambes Sium, signing for Gold Coast United in the A-League in August 2011.[45]

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.[46]

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.[47] 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.[48] In October 2021, five footballers from the country's under-20 women's team also disappeared when on international duty in Uganda.[49]

Results and fixtures

[edit]
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

2023

[edit]
16 November 2023 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Morocco  Cancelled  Eritrea Agadir, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Agadir Stadium
20 November 2023 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Eritrea  Cancelled  Congo Agadir, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Agadir Stadium

2024

[edit]
3 June 2024 (2024-06-03) 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Tanzania  Cancelled  Eritrea
10 June 2024 (2024-06-10) 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Eritrea  Cancelled  Niger

Coaching history

[edit]

Players

[edit]

Latest squad

[edit]

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 1GK Kibrom Solomon (2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 23) 9 0 Eritrea Denden
20 1GK Abdulahi Abdurahman (1986-01-01) 1 January 1986 (age 38) 3 0 Eritrea Red Sea
2 2DF Eyob Girmay (1996-11-12) 12 November 1996 (age 27) 8 0 Eritrea Denden
3 2DF Filmon Tumzghi (1993-03-24) 24 March 1993 (age 31) 8 0 Eritrea Denden
4 2DF Robel Teklemichael (captain) (2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 24) 8 0 Ethiopia Ethiopian Coffee
5 2DF Herman Fessehaye (2000-11-10) 10 November 2000 (age 23) 2 0 Eritrea Red Sea
17 2DF Ablelom Teklezgi (1996-09-01) 1 September 1996 (age 28) 8 0 Eritrea Red Sea
6 3MF Abel Okray (1996-11-20) 20 November 1996 (age 27) 2 0 Eritrea Denden
7 3MF Yonas Solomon (1994-06-21) 21 June 1994 (age 30) 7 0 Sudan Shorta Qadaref
8 3MF Samiyuma Alexander (1991-05-16) 16 May 1991 (age 33) 3 0 Free agent
11 3MF Senai Hagos (1992-12-02) 2 December 1992 (age 31) 0 0 Norway Åsane
14 3MF Christoffer Forsell (1994-02-19) 19 February 1994 (age 30) 0 0 Free agent
13 3MF Sammy Simon (1998-05-17) 17 May 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Free agent
16 3MF Mohammed Saeid (1990-12-24) 24 December 1990 (age 33) 1 0 Sweden Örebro
18 3MF Robel Asfaha (1987-01-31) 31 January 1987 (age 37) 0 0 Sweden Sundbybergs
19 3MF Alexander Andue (1998-06-05) 5 June 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Sweden Stocksund
9 4FW Henok Goitom (1984-09-22) 22 September 1984 (age 39) 4 1 Retired
10 4FW Ali Sulieman (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24) 8 3 Ethiopia Hawassa City
12 4FW Ezana Kahsay (1994-11-16) 16 November 1994 (age 29) 1 0 Poland Podlasie Biała Podlaska
15 4FW Ermias Tekie Simon (1986-09-29) 29 September 1986 (age 37) 0 0 Sweden Hallonbergens

Player records

[edit]
As of 22 January 2020[51]
Players in bold are still active with Eritrea.

Most appearances

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]

CECAFA Cup

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

All-time record

[edit]
Key

As of 25 January 2020[52]

  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

References

[edit]
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[edit]
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