The Sunday Mail
ZIMBABWE international goalkeeper George Chigova is salivating at the prospect of finally guarding goal for his South African side SuperSport United in place of injured regular starter Ronwen Williams.
Williams is apparently is also being linked with a move to either Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs.
The gangly 24-year-old Chigova, who joined Matsatsantsa in June last year, on the back of a stellar showing for the Warriors at chan 2014, is yet to taste league action for the Pretoria based outfit but has made the substitutes’ bench 10 times.
The 22-year-old Williams, who has been previously linked with a move to the German Bundesliga with Schalke 04, has now reportedly attracted the interest of Orlando Pirates, who are eager to replace the late Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.
With Itumeleng Khune’s contract running out in June this year, Kaizer Chiefs are also said to have made enquiries on the two-time Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season.
Popular South African football website Kickoff.com reported on rumours linking Williams with a move last week with Orlando Pirates said to be in pole position for the highly regarded goalie.
“This issue is dependent on many other things, with even Kaizer Chiefs in the picture for Williams, though that will depend on what happens with Khune,” a kickoff.com source said.
“Pirates are keen on Williams, but then that could change in the unlikely event that they land Khune. If Khune leaves Chiefs it opens up another opportunity for Williams to head to Naturena,” reported kickoff.com
In an interview with this publication, Chigova said he has been working hard at training and expects his efforts to bear fruit with game time in this year.
“I have been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to prove myself at the club and I feel I am ready for the challenge that is before me.
“But what I know is in football every member of the team cannot play at the same time as only 11 can play at a given time. Those who continue working hard at training will ultimately get game time to prove their worth.
“The challenge then is to perform to my best ability when given the opportunity,” said Chigova.
The goal minder, who would not be drawn into speculation linking Williams with a move away from the club, said he wished Williams a speedy recovery as the team is always the biggest beneficiary of their competition for the number one jersey.
But whether Williams goes on to move or not, Chigova has a realistic chance of starting 2015 as the number one goalie for Matsanstansta ahead of 19-year-old Dumisani Msibi.
Their first match of the year is scheduled for February 11 against Free State Stars, and this might be too early for the recovering Williams.
Echoes of Chigova’s prayer will reverberate at the Naturena where his countrymen, midfielder Ovidy Karuru and wideman Matthew Rusike, have also struggled for game time at trailblazing Amakhosi.
Karuru, who arrived to mega expectations from Belgian outfit OH Leuven, has made just one substitute appearance in the first half of the league and will be hoping for better fortunes when the league resumes.
Similarly, Rusike is also having a season to forget, coming on as a substitute on two occasions bringing his game time for the season to a meagre total of 11 minutes.
Meanwhile, Chigova will be joined by fellow Zimbabwe international striker Kingston Nkhatha, who has signed a pre-contract with Matsatsantsa and will complete his move from Kaizer Chiefs at the end of the season.
SuperSport United confirmed Nkhatha’s capture on their website yesterday morning. “We are proud to announce the signing of Zimbabwean striker Kingston Nkhatha on a pre-contract,” read a statement posted by SuperSport from their Twitter account.
Nkhatha, who has been the subject of harsh abuse from Chiefs’ fans in recent matches, joined Amakhosi in 2012.
On another positive note, former Chiefs and Hoffenheim striker Knowledge Musona scored twice on his debut for Belgian pro-league side KV Oostende, who beat Dutch second tier side NEC in an international club friendly played last Friday.
