Heartbreak Hits National Thunder as Owono Steps Away From International Duty

Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono will not feature in this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers following a devastating tragedy in the Spanish second division. The twenty five year old shot stopper has stepped away from the national team after the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, who passed away after sustaining a serious injury during a collision with Owono on Monday.

In an emotional statement released through his club, FC Andorra, Owono described these as the most difficult days of his life and admitted that he is struggling to come to terms with the loss of the thirty year old striker. This personal crisis led him to request that he be omitted from coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese’s current roster, a move supported by the Equatorial Guinea football federation. Feguifut president Venancio Tomas Micha confirmed that the organization is providing full human and professional support to the player during this grieving period.

The absence of Owono marks a significant blow to the National Thunder side, as he has served as their primary choice between the posts since late 2020 and played a key role in three consecutive Afcon tournaments. His departure comes at a critical juncture for the team as they prepare for a high stakes double header against Zimbabwe in Group E, starting with a home fixture in Bata on November 12 followed by a trip to Harare shortly after.

Currently locked in a tight battle for progression, Equatorial Guinea sits tied with Zimbabwe on three points each. With DR Congo leading the group and Sierra Leone trailing behind without any points, every single match carries immense weight for those hoping to secure qualification for 2027. While tactical adjustments will be necessary to fill the void left by Owono, the focus remains firmly on supporting a young athlete facing an unimaginable tragedy.