Eritrea profile: Five facts about South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opponents

Eritrea, nicknamed the Red Sea Camels, face Bafana in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium on Wednesday evening. The match kicks off at 6pm SA time.

Here are five facts about South Africa’s opponents.

1. Eritrea are among Africa’s lowest-ranked teams

The Red Sea Camels are 184th in the world, placing them 130 positions below Bafana in the Fifa rankings.

They are ranked 50th in Africa, 40 places behind South Africa.

Eritrea reached a high of 121st in the Fifa rankings in August 2007. However, lengthy periods of inactivity and withdrawals from tournaments resulted in the team dropping significantly down the rankings.

2. The team have withdrawn from major qualifying campaigns

The Eritrean national team have previously been withdrawn from the qualifying stages of major tournaments, including the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

The decisions were driven by concerns over mass desertions involving players and officials.

3. Players have defected during away matches

Difficult conditions at home and indefinite military service are among the reasons why many Eritrean footballers and members of staff have defected and sought asylum while travelling abroad for international fixtures.

The Eritrean Football Association has increasingly relied on players from the diaspora in an effort to reduce the risk of further defections.

Seven players were reported to have gone missing in South Africa after Eritrea played Eswatini in the preliminary phase of the current Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

4. Ali Sulieman is one of their leading attackers

The Red Sea Camels’ squad includes 26-year-old striker Ali Sulieman, who plays for Egyptian elite league club Al-Masry.

His experience in Egypt’s top division makes him one of the notable players in the Eritrean team preparing to face Bafana.

5. Tesfaldet Tekie provides experience in midfield

Midfielder Tesfaldet Tekie is another important member of the Eritrea squad.

The 29-year-old is on the books of Swedish top-flight club Hammarby IF and is expected to bring further experience to the Red Sea Camels’ midfield for Wednesday’s qualifier.