The twelve missing players from Eritrea’s national football team have reappeared. They are in the process of claiming political asylum in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The players disappeared in Kenya on Saturday after being knocked out of a regional tournament in the quarter finals. Only the coach and an official returned to Eritrea after the match. Kenyan police say the players have a good chance of being granted asylum.

It is not the first time that sportsmen have failed to return to Eritrea after a trip abroad. Although Eritrea is not at war, the country generates a constant stream of refugees. Many are disaffected young people avoiding military service.

Eritrean flag (Wikipedia)