Chivhu stands still for football hero Chigova
JUST like in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory that has been under siege from Israel since October 7, there is a popular location in Chivhu called Gaza that has been in grief over the past couple of weeks.
Locals there are mourning former national team goalkeeper George Chigova.
The former Dynamos and SuperSport United goalie traces his roots to Chivhu, where he was worshipped.
The huge crowd that thronged Chivhu Stadium for his final lap on Friday afternoon, the police-escorted funeral procession around the town and the calibre of people who attended the funeral told a story that was previously hidden from many.
Chigova was not only a hero in Harare, where he starred for Dynamos and the national team, but he was also a larger-than-life character in Chivhu.
On Friday, it seemed almost everyone had left their daily chores to attend his funeral.
Locals lined up the dusty streets of Gaza as the funeral convoy meandered its way to Chivhu Stadium, which is also popularly known as “Garwe”.
Mourners hailed Chigova as a “gentle and patient giant”, who unfortunately lost his life at a young age.
Chigova was 32 when he died in his sleep in South Africa on November 15.
He was buried at Chivhu Cemetery at 3pm on Friday. So highly regarded was Chigova that council sanctioned the release of graders to create access routes to his final resting place, which is near his late parents’ graves.
The funeral brought together football fans from different teams.
They braved the scorching heat to pay their last respects to a footballer who served the nation with distinction in numerous international assignments.
He was part of the Warriors squad that reached the semi-final at the 2014 African Nations Championships (CHAN) in South Africa.
He also played for Zimbabwe at the 2019 African Cup of Nations Cup finals and won two COSAFA Cup gold medals in 2017 and 2018.
At just 20, Chigova was good enough to be included in the national squad that played at the 2011 CECAFA Cup in Tanzania.
Norman Mapeza, who was coach of that team, bade farewell to Chigova in Chivhu.
“We are in camp preparing for our final league game against Sheasham tomorrow (Saturday), but we had to come here because I respect George a lot,”Mapeza said.
“We always believe that life begins at 40, but for someone who was only 32 to leave this world, it’s painful.”
Zimbabwe lost two great sons of football in November. Former national team player and coach Rahman “Dr Rush” Gumbo died in Botswana on November 10, just five days before Chigova’s demise.
“I worked with George in the national team, and he was just a brilliant guy. He was someone who was very committed to his work.
“He never gave me problems in terms of training, attitude or discipline,” added Mapeza.
“I am at a loss for words. If you look at his age, it’s a massive loss for Zimbabwean football, but I would like to say to the Chigova family that we are with you in this trying time.”
The funeral also reunited some friends who had last seen each other a long time ago.
Forgotten footballer Roderick Mutuma — who won two championships with Chigova with Dynamos in 2012 and 2013 — was also at Friday’s event.
“My only plea is for people to recognise footballers when they are still alive,” he said.
“To me, it’s pointless to have thousands of people at your funeral, with some donating money, yet they did nothing for you when you were still alive.
“Give us respect when we are still living . . . “Chigova’s death is a big loss . . .”
Former Warriors star Khama Billiat spoke about his last days with Chigova.
“I have a lot to ask him but I can no longer talk to him. “I felt like there was something he wanted to tell us,” a tearful Billiat said.
“Just a few days before his death, we texted each other, and we were supposed to go to the gym together.
“We had gone to the gym the previous day and he said he was feeling weak, and I said we would go on a Thursday.
“But on the day, I got a phone call; I couldn’t believe what I heard. Even today, I can’t believe it.
“Chigova was a very shy person and it took us a long time to open up to each other and to trust each other.
“But as time went by, we started sharing secrets. We shared good memories and I don’t even remember any day that we crossed paths.
“I was very talkative and he was very low key, but we got on well because George had patience. I remember back then, when I wanted to learn Ndebele, he was patient with me.
“He always had time; that’s why I liked him a lot.” The nation is still to come to terms with Chigova’s death.
Even his former teammates who attended the funeral, like Evans Rusike, Munyaradzi Diya, Tawanda Muparati, Artwell Mukandi, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Onisimor Bhasera, still cannot believe they buried Chigova on Friday.
Chigova played for Gunners, Dynamos, SuperSport United and Polokwane City.
He is survived by his wife Nokuthula and three daughters — Nicole, Tino and Tanatswa.