South Africa first-class cricketer Solo Nqweni has announced that he has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Nqweni revealed the news on his Twitter account on Thursday. “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.
“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,” he added.
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
This diagnosis is the latest in a long line of health issues for Nqweni, who spent four weeks in an induced coma last year and required the use of a machine to do the work of his lungs. Nqweni’s condition gradually improved and by October he was able to talk. He was given the all-clear to return to South Africa late last year but the cost of transportation was exorbitant for his family and it was only when a GoFundMe campaign was launched that Nqweni could return home.
The campaign raised £3,125 before a single-donor pledged £76,875 to foot the rest of the bill. Nqweni travelled to Johannesburg in January, where he was admitted to a hospital to receive further care. In February, the South African national team donated R50,000 to Nqweni’s medical expenses.
Nqweni played for South Africa Under-19s in 2012 and has been contracted to Eastern Province and the Warriors franchise since. In his most recent game for Eastern Province, the three-day provincial cup final, in April, he scored 95 from No.7.
