George Chigova Explained

George Chigova
Birth Date:4 March 1991
Birth Place:Harare, Zimbabwe
Height:1.95 m
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:–2010
Youthclubs1:Aces Youth Soccer Academy
Years1:2010–2012
Clubs1:Gunners Harare
Years2:2012–2014
Clubs2:Dynamos
Years3:2014–2015
Clubs3:SuperSport United
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2015–2020
Clubs4:Polokwane City
Caps4:125
Goals4:0
Years5:2020–2023
Clubs5:SuperSport United
Caps5:7
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2011–2019
Nationalteam1:Zimbabwe
Nationalcaps1:32
Nationalgoals1:0

George Chigova (4 March 1991 – 15 November 2023) was a Zimbabwean professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, notably in South Africa for Premier Soccer League clubs Polokwane City and SuperSport United.[1] [2]

Club career

In February 2014, it was announced that Chigova would join South African club SuperSport United for the 2014–15 season, having agreed a three-year contract.[3] The transfer fee paid to Harare-based side Dynamos was reported as $120,000.[4]

In July 2015, Chigova moved to Polokwane City, signing a three-year deal.[5] He made his league debut for the club on 22 September 2015, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw with Orlando Pirates F.C.[6]

International career

In January 2014, coach Ian Gorowa invited him to be a part of the Zimbabwe squad for the 2014 African Nations Championship. He helped the team to a fourth-place finish after being defeated by Nigeria 1–0.[7] [8]

Death

Chigova died on 15 November 2023 after collapsing at home. He was 32. Chigova had first collapsed while training with his club SuperSport in South Africa in July 2023. He was reported to have been diagnosed with a heart ailment and took a bit of time off the game.[9]

Honours

Zimbabwe

2017, 2018[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zimbabwe Warriors leave for Chan tournament . newsday.co.zw . 12 February 2014.
  2. Web site: Zimbabwe name final squad for CHAN tournament . cosafa.com . 12 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221182019/http://www.cosafa.com/index.php/press/latest-cosafa-news/365-zimbabwe-name-final-squad-for-chan-tournament . 21 February 2014 .
  3. Web site: Zimbabwe goalkeeper George Chigova to join SuperSport. bbc.com. 25 February 2014. 17 February 2019.
  4. Web site: SuperSport pay $120 000 for Chigova. dailynews.co.zw. 25 February 2014. 17 February 2019.
  5. Web site: Frustrated keeper Chigova seals move to Polokwane City. newzimbabwe.com. 22 July 2015. 17 February 2019.
  6. Web site: Polokwane City vs. Orlando Pirates – 22 September 2015 – Soccerway. Soccerway. 17 February 2019.
  7. Web site: CHAN 2014: awards and team of the CHAN . en.starafrica.com . 12 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140219235052/http://en.starafrica.com/football/chan-2014/ . 19 February 2014 .
  8. Web site: Articles tagged 'warriors' . dailynews.co.zw . 12 February 2014 . 28 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228061939/http://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/tagged/warriors . dead .
  9. https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/supersport-uniteds-george-chigova-dies-in-training-four-months-after-heart-problem-diagnosis-85ae8fb5-bd25-4bd0-ad16-096665f1f5ad SuperSport United’s George Chigova dies in training four months after heart problem diagnosis
  10. Web site: Zimbabwe – G. Chigova – Trophies. int.soccerway.com. 2 March 2018.