George Chigova

George Chigova

Personal information
Date of birth	(1991-03-04)4 March 1991
Place of birth	Harare, Zimbabwe
Date of death	15 November 2023(2023-11-15) (aged 32)
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
0000–2010	Aces Youth Soccer Academy
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2012	Gunners Harare
2012–2014	Dynamos
2014–2015	SuperSport United	0	(0)
2015–2020	Polokwane City	125	(0)
2020–2023	SuperSport United	7	(0)
International career
2011–2019	Zimbabwe	32	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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

• COSAFA Cup: 2017, 2018^[10]

References

1. "Zimbabwe Warriors leave for Chan tournament". newsday.co.zw. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
2. "Zimbabwe name final squad for CHAN tournament". cosafa.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
3. "Zimbabwe goalkeeper George Chigova to join SuperSport". bbc.com. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
4. "SuperSport pay $120 000 for Chigova". dailynews.co.zw. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2019.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
5. "Frustrated keeper Chigova seals move to Polokwane City". newzimbabwe.com. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
6. "Polokwane City vs. Orlando Pirates – 22 September 2015 – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
7. "CHAN 2014: awards and team of the CHAN". en.starafrica.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
8. "Articles tagged 'warriors'". dailynews.co.zw. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
9. SuperSport United’s George Chigova dies in training four months after heart problem diagnosis
10. "Zimbabwe – G. Chigova – Trophies". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2 March 2018.

External links

• George Chigova at Soccerway
• George Chigova at National-Football-Teams.com