Willard Katsande pays tribute to fallen Warriors hero George Chigova

The former SuperSport United and Polokwane City goalkeeper passed away last week after reportedly collapsing at home – he had previously suffered a heart attack in July, as he looked to return to playing professional football. 

Chigova, who came to South Africa in 2014 to join SuperSport after impressing in the CHAN tournament, passed away at the age of 32, which Katsande says is a huge loss to Zimbabwean football.

"For me, it came as a shock because I was opening up my Whatsapp, and somebody sent me a screenshot – he's like, 'Is this true?' But as soon as I tried to find out, lots of messages came through and I had to go to the internet as well," detailed Katsande.

"To see that it was the sad truth, it was painful. For me, it affects you because you start thinking how yesterday the person was okay, but now the person is no more.

"If you could see, I checked his Instagram, I think he last posted seven hours ago before his death, and that even gives you goosebumps – but why God?

"At the same time, you know everything happens for a reason, and God has a better place for him, it's only the pain that remains with us and the family he left on Earth.

"But up there, God has a better place for him. I just want to pass my condolences to the family and friends during this difficult moment, which is just a rough patch, but you can get through it. May his soul rest in peace."

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Born in Harare, Chigova started his football career at Harare Gunners before moving to Zim giants Dynamos – also popularly known as Dembare. 

He then joined Matsatsansa a Pitori before switching to Rise and Shine, where he played over 125 matches before returning down the N1 to Pretoria three years ago. Katsande describes Chigova as one of the best goalkeepers to have been produced in Zimbabwe.

"I think George was a very humble, shy, hard-working goalkeeper, who always listened when you gave him advice – he never said, 'No, I don't want this.' He'd always say, 'Ah, it's fine Mdala, okay, thank you very much,'" added the 37-year-old.

"I saw him as a humble, hard-working and shy professional. Unfortunately he's no longer with us, but, for me, I will remember him as one of the best goalkeepers to have played within our [Zimbabwe] national team."