Three African footballers linked to fatal incidents after Jesus Owono tragedy

Football is in mourning after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died at the age of 30 following a collision with FC Andorra and Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a match on Tuesday.

Owono, 25, has been deeply affected by the death. According to Cadena COPE, he was considering apologising privately to de Miguel’s family before making any public statement. He has also faced widespread criticism on social media, including racist abuse.

The circumstances of the incident are different from a road accident, but several other African footballers have been involved in fatal incidents with serious personal and legal consequences.

Amine Harit

In the summer of 2018, Morocco international Amine Harit was returning from an outstanding season with Schalke 04, where he had been named Bundesliga Young Player of the Season. He had also just played at his first World Cup in Russia.

His holiday in Morocco turned tragic on the night of 29-30 June. While driving in Marrakech with his younger brother, Harit hit and killed a 28-year-old pedestrian.

He was prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter and, several weeks later, received a four-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 8,600 dirhams, around 780 euros. Reports at the time said he had been driving at an inappropriate speed, while the victim had crossed away from a pedestrian crossing.

Harit later resumed his career, playing for Schalke and Olympique de Marseille. He described the incident as one of the most traumatic periods of his life.

“It was the beginning of a very difficult period. I thought a lot about that person. (…) I felt a little better once I had spoken to his mother and family; that was what weighed on me most. They told me they did not blame me, and I am truly grateful to them,” he said later.

Kader Keita

In March 2026, Ivorian midfielder Kader Keita was involved in another serious case in Romania while playing for Rapid Bucharest. He hit a 67-year-old woman as she crossed at a pedestrian crossing in the capital.

Keita left without waiting for emergency services and went to training. He was identified through surveillance footage and arrested.

The woman, who had been critically injured, died on 7 April after more than a month of treatment. The case was then reclassified as involuntary manslaughter, alongside the charges relating to leaving the scene. Keita, who has since moved to Al-Riyadh, remains presumed innocent unless a final court decision establishes his guilt.

Shaune Mogaila

On 30 October 2024, former Sekhukhune United player Shaune Mogaila caused a serious road collision in Tembisa, Gauteng province, South Africa.

His vehicle crossed into the opposite lane and struck a car carrying a mother and two children. Nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela died, while two other occupants suffered serious injuries.

Mogaila left the scene but surrendered to authorities later that day. In October 2026, after almost two years of proceedings, he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and failing to assist.

He was convicted, with sentencing scheduled for 17 November.

Owono’s case remains fundamentally different: the collision happened during a football action regularly performed by goalkeepers. An investigation has been opened in Spain to establish the exact circumstances, but no criminal responsibility has been established against him.

For now, attention remains focused on respecting the memory of Jesus de Miguel, his loved ones and everyone affected by the tragedy.