According to reports in Portugal, Belenenses SAD midfielder Sphephelo Sithole has become the first South African footballer confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus.

The former South African youth international is currently playing for Portuguese side Belenenses and with the side recently returning to training it was confirmed by Portuguese publication A Bola that Sithole tested positive for the virus.

‘The player in question, is the 21-year-old South African midfielder, Sphephelo Yaya Sithole, mostly used in the U23 team of the Blues of Restelo in the Revelation League [24 matches this season] but who, on several occasions throughout the season, he was called to train with the main squad, being even called up for some games, although he never left the bench,’ reported A Bola.

Sithole had recently broken into the senior squad at the club having made three substitute appearances in Primeira Liga matches. The blow comes just days after the squad returned to training after almost a two-month break.

Another South African midfielder, Thibang Theophilus Phete, is also at Belenenses but his status is yet unknown.

Across the world other players have also returned to training, with three FC Koln players testing positive for coronavirus.

With leagues across the world desperate to restart, the news of players testing positive will come as a hammerblow with the likelihood of a restart slipping away.