Africa-Press – Namibia. EDWARDO Nell, a Wanderers rugby player, died on Saturday evening after injuring his ribs and suffering from internal bleeding in a match against Unam.
Nell was playing as a scrum half for Wanderers’ third team against Unam at the Unam stadium and according to social media posts his rib was broken, which stuck into his lung, causing internal bleeding. Wanderers’ team manager Willem van Zyl, said the incident happened in the second half of the match.
Ëdwardo hurt his ribs when he fell on the ball, and was then taken to the medical bus for observation. After the match he was back with his team mates in the changing room for about 20 minutes; he took a cold shower and told us he was feeling okay.
“We went to Wanderers club where we were all supposed to gather again, but one of the players told me that Edwardo had collapsed outside Unam’s stadium and the medics were there again to take care of him. They said he had to go to the hospital immediately and was taken to Katutura hospital, but by then he had already suffered too much internal bleeding,” he added.
Van Zyl said that Nell played an important leadership role at the club. “Eduardo was an active member of our club for six years and played an important leadership role in the success of our second team that won three reserve league titles since 2015. Even I played along with Edwardo at a stage and he always had a smile and was always positive,” he said.
“We will miss him so much at the club and we as the management, coaches and players are deeply shocked with what happened. We are mourning with his family in this difficult time,” he added.
Some of his team mates and members of Namibia’s rugby fraternity sent tributes to Nell on social media. Öh my friend. We still had a nice game today and now you had to leave us.
Rest in peace my friend we are going to miss you at Wannies,” said his team mate Andre Visser. “Life is short. He was a man full of love for his club. Rip Wardo,” said Wicus Jacobs of Grootfontein Rugby Club.
“So, so sad. Sorry without words,” said Unam coach Johan Diergaardt. Nell was the son of Isadora Nell who has been involved in Namibian netball for many years as an administrator.
