By Michael Madyira
Former SuperSport United and Zimbabwe international goalkeeper George Chigova passed away on Thursday, aged 32.
His death comes less than two weeks after another Premier Soccer League player Bonginkosi Ntuli succumbed to cancer.
Chigova was diagnosed with a heart ailment which sidelined him from football this season and SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt cast doubt over him ever returning to play again.
“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of former SuperSport United player, George Chigova,” Matsatsantsa announced.
The Zimbabwe Football Association also confirmed the goalkeeper’s death.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association mourns the passing of former Warriors goalkeeper George Chigova,” announced Zifa in a statement.
“His sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of football fans and the Zimbabwean sporting community.”
Affectionately known as ‘Jojola’ or ‘Zikeeper’ by his teammates and fans, Chigova started his football journey at Aces Academy in Harare.
Some of his teammates at Aces included the former Kaizer Chiefs duo of Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat.
From Aces, he joined Zimbabwean giants Dynamos FC, before signing for SuperSport before the start of the 2014/15 season.
Matsatsantsa scouted him at the 2014 African Nations Championship finals hosted by South Africa where Zimbabwe reached the semi-finals.
However, he struggled for game time at Matsatsantsa, leading to a five-season stint at Polokwane City before returning for another spell at SuperSport in 2010.
He went to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Zimbabwe as the major highlight of his international career.
Pictured above: The late George Chigova.
Image source: SuperSport United
