Equatorial Guinea’s Jesus Owono Withdraws from AFCON Qualifiers After Tragic Incident
In a somber turn of events for Equatorial Guinea’s national football team, goalkeeper Jesus Owono has decided to step back from the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic death of fellow player Jesus de Miguel, a forward for Tenerife, who succumbed to injuries after a collision with Owono during a match in Spain’s second division.
Impact of the Collision
De Miguel, aged 30, sustained severe injuries from the collision with Owono, which resulted in his untimely death on Monday. Reflecting on this heart-wrenching situation, Owono expressed, “the most difficult days of my life,” conveying the immense emotional toll this incident has had on him.
In his statement released through FC Andorra, where Owono plays, he remarked on the challenging process of coming to terms with the tragedy and expressed his condolences.
National Team Support and Upcoming Matches
Following his withdrawal from the AFCON qualifiers, the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (Feguifut) emphasized their solidarity with Owono. President Venancio Tomas Micha stated that the federation stands ready to provide “all our human and professional backing” to the young goalkeeper during this difficult period.
Owono, 25, has been a key player for the National Thunder since November 2020 and has participated in the last three AFCON tournaments. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team.
Equatorial Guinea is currently preparing for a double-header against Zimbabwe, with their first match scheduled for Thursday, 12 November, in Bata, followed by an away game in Harare.
Both teams are currently tied at three points after two rounds of competition, with the Democratic Republic of Congo leading the group and Sierra Leone yet to secure a point.
