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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter—
SOUTH Africa giants Supersport United have hailed the signing of big goalkeeper George Chigova from Zimbabwean champions Dynamos as a big scoop following the conclusion of the negotiations to bring the player to the Absa Premiership. Chigova, who impressed many scouts during the recent Africa Nations Championship in South Africa, will move to his new club in July when the new season begins after agreeing to a three-year deal.
The club confirmed on their website that they have captured the goalkeeper following weeks of negotiations.
The Herald exclusively revealed, two weeks ago, that Chigova was on his way to the South African club.
Chigova will join a strong goalkeeping department at Matsatsantsa led by veteran Rowen Fernandez, who turns 36 this month, but the Zimbabwean is likely going to fight for the first team jersey against younger goalkeepers Ronwen Williams (22) and Boalefa Pule (24).
Supersport United chief executive, Stan Matthews, yesterday expressed his satisfaction with the coming of Chigova when he told the club’s website that the 22-year old will be worthy replacement for Fernandez, who is likely to leave the club soon.
Matthews, who has also been monitoring the towering goalkeeper during the recent CHAN tournament, said he is excited by the prospect of competition with the coming in of Chigova in July.
“We are fortunate to have a great goalkeeping compliment at the club in Ronwen Williams and Boalefa Pule, and with Rowen Fernandez likely to leave at the end of the season, it was important for us to have fierce competition in every position-including the keepers.
“I am certain that George will push Ronwen and Boalefa all the way and I’m looking forward to seeing a record amount of clean sheets next season,” said Matthews.
Chigova impressed many with his size and quality during the recent CHAN tournament in South Africa and was courted by several European and South African teams after leading Zimbabwe to the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time.
He was brilliant between the posts as he kept four clean sheets and conceded only twice in the seven matches that the Warriors played at the tournament.
Several scouts had been monitoring him but Supersport made the first move when they tabled their offer to Dynamos two weeks ago.
The proposal, however, came when the South Africa mid-season transfer window had already closed which means that he would only join them when they begin preparations for the new season in July.
The DeMbare leadership had also told the South Africans that they could not release the player at this stage as they needed him to help in the Champions League probably up to the mini-league stage.
Although Dynamos would have wanted Chigova’s services until the end of the year, the decision to hold on to the player could not have made business sense since his contract expires in December.
When he becomes a free agent, it means he would move for free without any benefits to the club.
Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa yesterday said they needed to tie loose ends with the former Absa Premiership champions whom they have been communicating with for the past two weeks.
Mubaiwa said officials from Supersport United are expected back in the country tomorrow to speed up talks on the payment plan.
“We communicated with them last week and they indicated they will come back to us on Wednesday (tomorrow) to finalise everything.
“We had wanted George to help us in the Champions League but we cannot stand in the player’s way when he gets an opportunity to move.
“We wish him well when he makes the move and the good thing is that we also have an equally good goalkeeper in Artwell Mukandi and it’s a great chance as well for the young Tatenda Mukuruva,” said Mubaiwa.
Chigova’s signing, however, has not gone down well with his manager Denford Mutashu who has charged that he was sidelined in the negotiation process yet he has a running contract with the player.
Mutashu yesterday told The Herald that he was shocked to hear that “his” player had signed a contract in South Africa without his knowledge.
“I just got the news and I confirmed with the people in South Africa and they told me George has indeed signed a three-year deal,” said Mutashu.
“But I never negotiated with Supersport and as far as I am concerned this is an issue that requires investigation.
“George has a management contract with me but I will not say much before I speak to George himself. I am not against his move.
“I can’t stand in his way when he feels he has to move on with his career. It’s something commendable but procedure needs to be followed. I will certainly take up the matter with the club itself (Supersport), Zifa and Safa.
“I am very frustrated and disappointed. I hear a certain guy called Kay approached George during the CHAN tournament and he is the same person who has been facilitating the move. Whilst I respect his motives, I have serious reservations how this deal was handled.
“The standard procedure is that Kay should have approached me if he had known that the player has a management contract with someone back home.
But I cannot blame Kay because he may not have gotten the correct information from the player himself.
“I worked with George for some time now and I know he is a fantastic footballer and very disciplined as well.
With all the trust that we have built over the years I don’t think he could do things behind my back.
“I don’t want to blame anyone but I am told many things were happening during the CHAN tournament.”
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