Goalkeeper Jesus Owono will sit out the AFCON 2027 qualifiers after asking to be excused following the death of Tenerife's Jesus de Miguel.
Equatorial Guinea will go into their AFCON 2027 qualifiers without goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who has asked to be left out of the squad while he grieves the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.
The decision is a deeply personal one. Owono felt he could not report for national team duty in the wake of the loss, and his request to be omitted has been respected. It is a reminder that behind every call-up list are real people dealing with real heartbreak.
On the pitch, his absence leaves a gap between the sticks for Nzalang Nacional at an important moment. Qualifying campaigns are decided by small margins, and a number one with Owono's experience is not easily replaced. The coaching staff will now have to turn to other options in goal.
For now, though, football takes a back seat. The thoughts of the African football community are with Owono, with Equatorial Guinea's squad, and with everyone who knew and loved De Miguel.
