Jesús Owono Emerges as FC Andorra's Goalkeeper Saviour in Segunda División

Jesús Owono has emerged as a key figure for FC Andorra in Spain's Segunda División, stepping up from third-choice goalkeeper to deliver crucial saves that secured vital points.

The 22-year-old from Equatorial Guinea had limited opportunities early in the season. He made his debut for the club in the eighth matchday, a loss to Leganés, before dropping out of the starting lineup for two games. He returned for two more appearances, only to sit out the next 12 matches entirely. It appeared he might remain a backup or return to his parent club, Deportivo Alavés—where he is contracted until 2029—but he stayed and has now started four consecutive games without defeat. FC Andorra won three and drew one, conceding just three goals in the process.

Owono proved decisive in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Granada's Nuevo Los Cármenes stadium, where his spectacular stops preserved a hard-earned point. The performance has transformed perceptions of the player once seen as destined for the bench.

Owono's path to Andorra began young. At age eight, he left his hometown of Bata in Equatorial Guinea to join his mother in San Sebastián, Spain. Enrolled at Ibai Ikastola school, he first played outfield football on the Ibaeta public pitches. A teammate's injury thrust him into goal for Antiguoko, catching the eye of Real Sociedad—where he later trained alongside Ander Barrenetxea, now with the senior txuri-urdin side.

He moved to Alavés, lingering behind goalkeepers Pacheco and Sivera, but debuted in La Liga. Now on loan at FC Andorra, Owono has become the team's saviour at a critical juncture in the Hypermotion League campaign.