Seven players from the Eritrean football squad that scored a historic victory in Eswatini last week have failed to return home, a source close to the team has told the BBC. While some of their teammates flew back from Eswatini's neighbor, South Africa, the seven are said to have absconded. Rights groups have described the government in Asmara as highly repressive - a charge which the authorities reject. Despite its small population, hundreds of thousands of Eritreans have sought asylum abroad. The news of the players absconding will come as a blow to the team, which, following its 2-1 win in Eswatini, was celebrating a return to the qualifying group stages for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 19 years. Only 10 of the 24-man squad were based in Eritrea, and just three of those players, including team captain Ablelom Teklezghi, have now returned, sources in Asmara told BBC Tigrinya. While it is unclear where the missing players have gone, reports say some have been seen in South Africa. Those who have absconded include goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and veteran winger Medhanie Redie. Eritrea's state-owned media outlets have been unusually quiet on the victorious team's return, which would normally be accompanied by a big fanfare. Sources say preparations for a celebratory reception were cancelled following the news of the players' disappearance. Many Eritrean fans had been hoping that the victory over Eswatini would lead to a renaissance of Eritrean football, but for many Eritreans, the latest news has a familiar ring. Over the last two decades, the national team at different levels has been scarred by a series of events in which players, and even almost entire squads, have disappeared either before or after games abroad. This pattern continues with the latest incident reflecting the ongoing struggles faced by athletes in the country.