By Victor Kanayo
The Eritrea Football Federation has revealed the withdrawal of its senior men’s national team from the 2026 World Cup qualifier, two weeks before the start of the process.
The confirmation came after rumour had been around for quite some time, that the country will not participate, with no reason given for their withdrawal.
Initially, they were to face Morocco and Congo in the opening group games of the qualifier before their withdrawal.
However, Heritage Times HT gathered that their decision may be connected with the defection of some players.
The last time Eritrea played a competitive game was in September 2019 during the qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup and they lost 2-0 to Namibia.
Bafana Bafana Squad
Meanwhile, the head coach of the Bafana Bafana of South Africa Hugo Broos has released the list of 44 players that will prosecute the games.
South Africa is placed in the same group as Nigeria, Rwanda, Benin, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.
South Africa will take on Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on the weekend of November 17 to 19, 2023.
They will then travel to Huye to face Rwanda on November 21.
The squad is expected to assemble on Monday, November 13, in Pretoria and travel to Durban on November 16.
