Zimbabwe’s preparations for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers have been significantly impacted following the exclusion of Equatorial Guinea’s first-choice goalkeeper, Jesús Owono. Owono requested to be dropped from the national squad after a tragic on-field collision in a Spanish second-division match led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has sent shockwaves through the football community and directly affects Zimbabwe, who are slated to face Equatorial Guinea in two crucial qualifier matches this month.
Key Players Involved
- Jesús Owono: Equatorial Guinea’s national goalkeeper, who requested exclusion from the squad due to the emotional toll of the incident.
- Jesús de Miguel: The 30-year-old Tenerife forward who tragically died after a collision with Owono during a Spanish second-division match.
- Equatorial Guinea National Team: The team that will now face Zimbabwe in the AFCON qualifiers without their primary goalkeeper.
Event Timeline
- Monday, November 2, 2026: Tragic on-field collision occurs between Jesús Owono and Jesús de Miguel during a Spanish second-division match.
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Jesús de Miguel succumbs to his injuries and is buried.
- Thursday, November 5, 2026: Jesús Owono issues a statement describing the period as “the most difficult days of my life” and requests to be left out of the national squad.
- Friday, November 6, 2026: Equatorial Guinea’s football federation (Feguifut) confirms Owono’s exclusion from the squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Zimbabwe.
