daniel chigunwe
Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
HORDES of football enthusiasts and stakeholders in the game are expected to throng the Robert Mugabe International Airport today to receive the body of former football star George Chigova who died in South Africa last week.
Sadly, this will be the last journey home for the giant goalkeeper, who for the last nine years has been based in South Africa, where he distinguished himself as a top-notch goalkeeper with teams like Polokwane City and SuperSport United.
The brother of the late goalkeeper, Lazarus Chigova, yesterday revealed Chigova’s body is also expected to make its final lap at Rufaro tomorrow morning.
The domestic football family is expected to pay their last respects at the stadium before the body is transported to Chivhu later in the day for burial on Friday.
“George’s body will arrive at the Robert Mugabe International Airport tomorrow (today). From there, it will be taken to a local funeral parlour where it will spend the night.
“The finer details of the programme are yet to be confirmed for now, but there are plans to take the body to Rufaro Stadium on Thursday morning, around 8am, where the football people, including those from the teams that he played for, and the supporters as well, will be given an opportunity to say goodbye.
“The body will be taken to Chivhu later in the day where it will lie in state overnight. Burial is set for Chivhu on Friday afternoon,” said Lazarus Chigova.
Before departing for Chivhu, there are also plans to pass through Aces Youth Soccer Academy in Waterfalls, where Chigova was discovered and nurtured into a fine goalkeeper that he became.
If everything goes according to plan, a church service is also set to be held at the St Francis of Assisi in Waterfalls.
A memorial service was held on Monday at the AFM Church in Kempton Park in South Africa, where different speakers paid tribute to the late goalkeeper.
Chigova’s ex-teammates and South African-based Zimbabwean footballers also came in large numbers to bid their farewell.
Former Warriors captain Willard Katsande said he was shocked by the tragedy and went on to praise Chigova’s easy-going character and workaholic attitude.
“I think George was a humble, shy and hardworking goalkeeper who always listened to others. We gave him advice and criticism and he never rejected it. He would always say it’s okay and move on,” said Katsande.
This was corroborated by the deceased’s brother Lazarus Chigova, who was still trying to come to terms with the magnitude of the loss and the agony this has caused the family.
“It’s a big loss to the family,” he said.
“Mind you, George was only 32 years old. He was still young. We always say life begins at 40, and he was nowhere near that age. So, to me he had not started life yet. I believe he still had a lot to offer to football and to his young family.
“Such a talented guy, he had a lot ahead of him. Unfortunately, this happened. It’s sad, he is leaving behind such a young family,” said Lazarus Chigova.
Mourners are gathered at 1347 Milford Road, Park Town, Waterfalls.
Chigova died in his sleep in South Africa last week due to suspected heart complications. Apparently, the giant goalkeeper was diagnosed with a heart ailment in July this year and was even contemplating retirement from the game at the time of his death.
Having started off as a junior footballer at Aces Youth Academy, Chigova went on to win two league titles with Harare giants Dynamos and a pair of Mbada Diamond Cup titles before he crossed to South Africa in 2014, to join SuperSport United.
After one season, he shifted base to Polokwane City where he got generous game time and featured in over 100 games for the club. He was able to retrace his footsteps back to SuperSport in 2020.
Chigova is survived by his wife Noku, and three daughters Nicole, Tino and Tanatswa.
Online Reporter