Goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been left out of Equatorial Guinea’s squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers ​this month following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus ‌de Miguel, the football federation said on Thursday.

Owono and De Miguel were involved in a collision during a Spanish second division match between Andorra ​and Tenerife on Monday, after which the striker was ​taken into intensive care. De Miguel died on Tuesday ⁠morning.

The 25-year-old Owono has been the first-choice goalkeeper for ​Equatorial Guinea since he was a teenager and competed with ​them at the last three Africa Cup of Nations finals.

He was in goal for the opening two qualifiers for the 2027 finals in September but ​will miss matches against Zimbabwe in Bata on November 12 ​and then a return in Harare on November 16.

“These are the most ‌difficult ⁠days of my life,” Owono said in a statement on Wednesday.

“I struggle to find the words, and I find it very hard to process what has happened. I know there will be ​many questions to ​address, and ⁠I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect.

“But right now, honestly, I cannot think about ​anything other than Jesus and the pain we ​are ⁠experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.”

Owono deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after receiving abuse online, with some users commenting ‘murderer’ on his posts.

The ⁠Equatoguinean ​Football Federation expressed support for Owono in ​a statement on Tuesday, adding that the 25-year-old was experiencing profound sorrow and ​grief.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H