Goalkeeper Jesus Owono will not feature in Equatorial Guinea's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches this month, having asked to be withdrawn from coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese's squad in the wake of a tragedy that has shaken him deeply.

Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, 30, passed away after sustaining a fatal injury during a collision with Owono in a Spanish second division fixture on Monday. The incident has left the 25-year-old goalkeeper in a state of profound grief.

Owono's heartbreak

In a statement released by his club FC Andorra on Wednesday, Owono described these as