Jesus Owono requests exclusion from Equatorial Guinea camp to face Zimbabwe
Equatorial Guinea will be without first choice goalkeeper Jesus Owono for their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe following a tragic incident in Spanish football that claimed the life of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel.
The 25 year old FC Andorra goalkeeper was involved in a collision with De Miguel during a Spanish second division match on Monday 2 November. The 30 year old forward was hospitalised in critical condition before his death was confirmed the following morning.
Owono has since expressed his profound sorrow over the tragedy while the Equatoguinean Football Federation has publicly offered him its support.
What happened in Spain? The tragedy behind Owono's absence
The incident occurred during the closing stages of Tenerife's league match against FC Andorra on 2 November.
Owono and De Miguel collided while contesting the ball, leaving the Tenerife forward seriously injured.
Medical personnel attended to the striker before he was transferred to hospital, where he received intensive care.
De Miguel died on Tuesday 3 November, prompting an outpouring of condolences across Spanish football.
Owono, who was sent off following the collision, subsequently faced criticism and abusive messages on social media.
In a statement issued through FC Andorra on Wednesday 4 November, the Equatorial Guinea international described the period as the most difficult days of his life.
He expressed his grief over De Miguel's death and extended his condolences to the player's family and loved ones.
The Equatoguinean Football Federation also issued an official message of condolence to Tenerife and expressed its solidarity with Owono.
The tragedy has therefore affected both clubs and the national team although the immediate priority remains respect for the deceased player and everyone affected by his loss.
Why did Owono withdraw? Annese explains the decision
Owono's absence from the November international window was confirmed ahead of Equatorial Guinea's two encounters with Zimbabwe.
However, according to comments from Annese reported on 6 November, the goalkeeper personally requested permission from the federation and the coaching staff not to join the national team.
The Italian coach explained that Owono preferred to remain with FC Andorra to maintain his position as a regular starter and preserve his competitive rhythm.
The request was accepted.
That clarification is significant because the timing of the decision has prompted attention following the fatal incident in Spain.
While Owono has publicly acknowledged his grief, the explanation provided by his national team coach specifically identifies his desire to remain with his club.
There has been no official announcement that he intends to retire from international football or abandon his professional career.
His absence currently concerns the November fixtures against Zimbabwe.
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