- The Eritrean under 20s were scheduled to battle Kenya in a Cecafa tournament on Wednesday, October 2
- The encounter was however marred with confusion following the disappearance of five Eritrean players
- The players are said to have fled in an attempt to seek asylum
The Eritrean under 20s national football team has been gripped with fear and panic after five of its squad members going missing in Uganda.
The players are said to have fled from their hotel room in Jinja in an attempt to seek asylum.
BBC World reports the five subsequently missed a training session on Tuesday, October 1, with head coach Haile Efrem Alemseghed suggesting they were unwell.
Alemseghed therefore had to contend with lack of squad depth as he had just 14 players to select from in his side's Wednesday clash against Kenya.
First choice goalkeeper Girmay Hanibal is understood to have been among the five one who has absconded.
Others included Simon Asmelash, Deyben Gbtsawi Hintseab, Hermon Fessehaye Yohannes and Mewael Tesfai Yosief.
Meanwhile, the incident saw security beefed up around the team's hotel, in an attempt to stop more players from fleeing.
Cases of Eritrean footballers taking advantage of foreign trips to run away have been on the rise in the recent past.
