Equatorial Guinea has officially omitted goalkeeper Jesus Owono from its upcoming international squad, a decision made in the wake of the tragic death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel. Owono was involved in a high-impact collision with De Miguel during stoppage time of the Andorra versus Tenerife match in Spain’s second tier on Monday. The incident resulted in a red card for the keeper, who was subsequently rushed to intensive care, where he sadly passed away the following morning.
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The exclusion marks a significant pause in Owono’s international career as the national team prepares for the break. In a heartfelt statement released on Wednesday, the goalkeeper expressed his “enormous pain,” describing the current period as “the most difficult days of my life.” He admitted to struggling to find words to process the devastating event, highlighting the profound personal toll of the accident on the player and his family.
This incident underscores the severe risks inherent in professional football, particularly in high-intensity defensive plays. While the immediate focus remains on the mourning of De Miguel and the ongoing investigation into the collision, the squad selection signals a clear institutional stance to support the player during this critical time. The absence of Owono will force Equatorial Guinea to rely on backup options for their upcoming fixtures, shifting attention from tactical strategy to the human element of the sport.
Source: The Independent Sport
