Equatorial Guinea's national football team will be without first-choice goalkeeper Jesus Owono for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, following the tragic death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel. The 30-year-old striker passed away after sustaining a serious injury in a collision with Owono during a Spanish second division match on Monday.

In a statement released by his club FC Andorra on Wednesday, Owono expressed that he is going through "the most difficult days of my life" and that it is "very hard to come to terms with what has happened." The Equatorial Guinea football federation (Feguifut) confirmed that the 25-year-old had asked to be left out of coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese's squad for the forthcoming fixtures.

Feguifut president Venancio Tomas Micha had earlier stated that the organization is providing "all our human and professional backing" to the player during this harrowing time. Owono has been the undisputed number one for the National Thunder since November 2020 and has represented the country at the last three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

The goalkeeper played a pivotal role in Equatorial Guinea's run to the quarter-finals at the 2021 Afcon, but the team suffered a group-stage exit at the 2025 finals in Morocco. His absence is a significant blow for the National Thunder as they prepare for a crucial double-header against Zimbabwe in Group E.

Equatorial Guinea are set to host Zimbabwe in Bata on Thursday, 12 November, before traveling to Harare four days later. Both teams currently sit on three points after two rounds of matches, with DR Congo leading the group on six points and Sierra Leone yet to register a point.

The football community has rallied around De Miguel, with tributes pouring in from across Spain and beyond. The striker's untimely death has cast a shadow over the sport, and Owono's decision to step away from international duty underscores the profound impact of the incident on the player.

As Equatorial Guinea prepare to face Zimbabwe without their trusted goalkeeper, the team will need to regroup and focus on the task at hand. Coach Annese will likely turn to his backup options, but Owono's presence between the posts will be sorely missed. The National Thunder will also be playing for more than just points, as they aim to honor the memory of De Miguel and support their teammate from afar.

Group E Standings

Meanwhile, the football world continues to mourn the loss of De Miguel, a talented forward who was respected by teammates and opponents alike. His death serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the beautiful game and the importance of player safety.