Warriors cricketer Solo Nqweni has been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The 26-year-old Nqweni has not played franchise or provincial cricket in South Africa since early 2019, after contracting Guillain-Barre syndrome. He was playing cricket in Scotland at the time of the GBS diagnosis. This week, he confirmed the coronavirus infection, too.
“So last year I got GBS, and have been battling this disease for the past 10 months and I’m only half way through my recovery,” Nqweni wrote on Facebook.
“I got TB, my liver failed and my kidney failed. Now today I tested positive for coronavirus. I don’t understand why all of this is happening to me. Honestly.”
Earlier this year, several Proteas cricketers pledged R50,000 to Nqweni’s rehabilitation from Guillain-Barre syndrome. He had been in induced coma for a month and spent several more in intensive care.
“Through the good and the difficult times, players always stand together and this is no different. The decision to stand by Solo, as part of the cricket family was an easy one to make,”said Test captain Faf du Plessis at the time.
ODI captain Quinton de Kock added: “On behalf of the Proteas, we would like to wish Solo all the best with his rehabilitation and we hope to see him on the field in the future.”
Former South Africa Under-19 seamer Nqweni has played 36 first-class matches for Eastern Province since 2012’s debut – and was part of the Warriors’ CSA T20 Challenge campaign in 2017.
So last year I got GBS, and have been battling this disease for the past 10 months and I’m only half way through my recovery. I got TB, my liver failed and my kidney failed. Now today I tested positive for corona virus. I don’t understand why all of this is happening to me.
— Solo Nicholas Nqweni (@SoloNqweni) May 7, 2020