Jesus Owono receives support from Equatorial Guinea FA after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel dies following collision

Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono has received support from his country’s football federation following the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who suffered fatal injuries in a collision during a Spanish second-tier match.

De Miguel, 30, sustained serious head and chest injuries after colliding heavily with Owono, who has made 47 appearances for Equatorial Guinea’s national team since 2019.

The striker reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital, with his condition deteriorating overnight. His death was confirmed on Tuesday morning, sending shockwaves through the football community.

The incident has also left Owono deeply affected, with reports in Spain suggesting the goalkeeper was visibly distressed following the collision.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Andorra, is understood to have been crying and praying in the dressing room after the match before remaining visibly shaken during the team’s journey back.

His Instagram account has since been deleted following a wave of negative comments directed at him over the incident.

However, people close to the goalkeeper have defended his character, describing him as someone who would never deliberately hurt another player.

“He is a caring, very kind person. He has no malice,” those close to Owono told AS, according to The Mirror.

Raphinha leads football tributes to De Miguel

The tragic death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the football world, with Barcelona forward Raphinha among those expressing their shock and sadness.

Speaking after Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night, the Brazil international acknowledged the dangers players face whenever they step onto the pitch.

“May he rest in peace,” Raphinha said.

“In the end, this can happen to anyone. The truth is that it’s very tough… when we saw the news this morning, it was complicated. I’m incredibly shocked and sad.

“In the end, you go to play a match, and the same thing could happen to you. From myself, from the club, we want to send a lot of strength to his family.”

Raphinha’s comments reflected the sadness surrounding the incident, which has united players and clubs in mourning following the loss of the Tenerife forward.

Equatorial Guinea FA offers support to Owono

Meanwhile, the president of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation, Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, has expressed his condolences to Tenerife and De Miguel’s family while extending support to Owono.

In a statement published on Instagram and reported by Spanish media outlets Cadena SER and El Chiringuito, Ndong Micha described the striker’s death as an irreparable loss.

“On behalf of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation and in my own name, I wish to express our most sincere and heartfelt condolences for this irreparable loss.”

He also extended the federation’s sympathy to De Miguel’s family, teammates, coaching staff and Tenerife supporters, acknowledging the profound sadness surrounding the tragedy.

“Football is a family that, in moments like this, unites in mourning. We want to convey our most supportive embrace to his family, his teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire blue-and-white fans, who are going through hours of indescribable sadness.”

The federation president also specifically addressed Owono’s involvement in the incident, emphasising that the goalkeeper was facing an extremely difficult situation despite the collision being involuntary.

“Likewise, I feel the need to extend all our solidarity and support at this time to our player Jesus Lazaro Owono. We know that, as an involuntary [person] of this fatal incident during the game, he is experiencing this situation with deep affliction and desolation.”

He added that the federation would provide the goalkeeper with the necessary human and professional support.

Owono’s future uncertain after tragic collision

Questions have also emerged over the possible disciplinary consequences of the incident, with reports suggesting Owono could face an eight-match suspension following his challenge on De Miguel.

However, the goalkeeper’s immediate wellbeing has become a major concern, given the reported emotional impact of the tragedy.

It remains unclear whether he will return to professional football following the traumatic experience.

While the circumstances surrounding the collision and any potential disciplinary action remain matters of attention, the football community continues to mourn De Miguel, whose death has cast a shadow over Spanish football.