Jesus Owono tragedy highlights fatal incidents involving African footballers

Home Home Latest News Latest News World Footaball World Footaball Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Premier League Ghana Premier League National Teams National Teams Videos Videos Black Stars Black Stars Transfer News & Rumours Transfer News & Rumours Kotoko Kotoko Hearts Of Oak Hearts Of Oak Jesus Owono tragedy highlights fatal incidents involving African footballers 03 November 2026 Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp Football is mourning after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died on Tuesday, aged 30, following a collision with FC Andorra and Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a match.

The incident has deeply affected Owono, 25, who is reportedly considering privately apologising to de Miguel’s family before making any public statement, according to Cadena COPE. The goalkeeper has also faced widespread criticism on social media, including racist abuse.

Although the circumstances of the collision are entirely different from a road accident, other African footballers have faced fatal incidents with serious personal and legal consequences.

In the summer of 2018, Amine Harit was returning from an outstanding season with Schalke 04, where he had been named the Bundesliga’s best young player. The Morocco international 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 struck and killed a 28-year-old pedestrian.

Harit was prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter and, several weeks later, received a four-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 8,600 dirhams, approximately 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 continued his professional career at Schalke and later Olympique de Marseille. He subsequently described the incident as one of the most traumatic episodes of his life.

“It was the beginning of a very difficult period. I thought a lot about that person… I felt a little better after speaking to his mother and his family. That was what weighed on me most. They told me they did not hold it against me, and I am truly grateful to them,” he said.

In March 2026, Ivory Coast midfielder Kader Keita became involved in a serious case in Romania while playing for Rapid Bucuresti.

Keita hit a 67-year-old woman as she crossed at a pedestrian crossing in the capital. He left the scene without waiting for emergency services and went to training before being identified through surveillance footage and arrested.

The woman was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died on 7 April, after more than a month of treatment. The case was then reclassified as involuntary manslaughter, alongside charges connected to leaving the scene.

Keita has since moved to Al-Riyadh and remains presumed innocent unless a final court decision establishes his guilt.

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

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 provide assistance. He was convicted, with sentencing due on 17 November.

Owono’s case remains fundamentally different. His challenge for the ball occurred during a normal football action, and no criminal responsibility has been established. An investigation has been opened in Spain to determine exactly how de Miguel died.

The immediate priority remains respect for de Miguel’s memory, his loved ones and everyone affected by the tragedy.