Who cleared Chigova? George Chigova

chigovaEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Callisto Pasuwa says George Chigova’s recent trip to South Africa was undertaken without his knowledge, but believes the ’keeper will still return to play for the Glamour Boys this season before leaving to join SuperSport United.
Chigova, who is set to move to Super Disk side SuperSport in July, left the country earlier this week for medical tests with the club and is only expected back home next Monday.

But his coach was not advised of that visit.

Pasuwa, however, said Chigova was still in his plans as he wants him to play a big part in the first half of the season before heading off to his new club.

DeMbare have since started to prepare for life without the big national team ’keeper with Artwell Mukandi moving in to fill the void in their last Premiership match against Bantu Rovers on Easter Monday.

Pasuwa challenged Mukandi and young Tatenda Mukuruva to step up their act while they also intend to bring in a third ’keeper to provide cover when Chigova leaves during the July transfer window.

Pasuwa yesterday said he was not in a position to discuss Chigova’s recent visit to Matsatsantsa since he was in the dark.

It appears Chigova was cleared by the management without the coach’s knowledge.

“For me to say anything about Chigova, I would be lying. I only heard that he is going to South Africa. I don’t even know for how long,” said Pasuwa.

“On my side, I thought maybe he was going to South Africa at the end of June for his medicals. So on that one I don’t know, maybe the management has a clear explanation.”

Chigova signed a three-year deal with the former Absa Premier League champions after impressing many scouts during the CHAN tournament in South Africa earlier this year.

However, Pasuwa said Chigova’s absence will not provide him with headaches as DeMbare prepare for a tricky fixture with Harare City.

“We have three goalkeepers who are registered and I don’t think, for now, George is going forever,” said Pasuwa.

“Maybe in two or three weeks’ time he should be back. In our last game against Bantu Rovers we had to field Artwell (Mukandi). That is the reason why we registered 30-35 players. They are not there to add numbers.

“They have to prove to everyone that they are capable of playing. You need character to play for Dynamos.”

DeMbare are also sweating over  injuries that have been affecting their squad as attacking midfielder Cliff Sekete, who suffered a groin injury in their last match in Bulawayo, has joined the long list of casualties and will not be available for the weekend game.

Sekete had a good game against Bantu Rovers, which he capped with his first goal this season, but has not been able to train with the rest of the team since they returned from Bulawayo.

The club’s captain, Murape Murape, has also been ruled out alongside long-term injury worries Masimba Mambare, Tawanda Muparati, Ocean Mushure and Clive Kawinga.

“We are having so many casualties and I think those guys with serious knocks are still out. But since we have so many players in camp, those who are fit will play,” said Pasuwa.

Dynamos boosted their morale with a 3-1 win over Bantu Rovers last Monday, to take their points tally to six from three games.

National team coach Ian Gorowa, who is also close friend of Pasuwa, watched Dynamos’ training session  from the sidelines yesterday.

Pasuwa said they will not leave anything to chance despite their opponents’ poor start this year.

The Sunshine Boys, who narrowly lost the league championship to their more experienced opponents, has had a horrible start as they are wallowing at the bottom of the table, winless in three outings.

Pasuwa said the Glamour Boys will not look into Harare City’s case as they hope to raise their game following a slow take-off in search of a fourth straight title.

“Since Harare City came into the league they have been one of our toughest opponents. We are not treating them lightly and again we are not playing according to history.

“They haven’t been playing well in terms of results but you know with any team in the league, when they play against Dynamos they raise their game.

“So it’s the attitude in our camp that we are working on. We are not taking it lightly.” DeMbare are still waiting for striker Roderick Mutuma’s international clearance from South Africa.

The self-styled Prince of Zimbabwe football is seeking to re-launch his career at the Glamour Boys after he was recently released by South African side Bloemfontein Celtic.

DeMbare expect the paperwork to be complete by Monday.

The Glamour Boys have been lightweight in attack and, after three league matches, none of their out-and-out forwards have found the target.

Dynamos needed an own goal to beat How Mine in their first game at Barbourfields and then fired blanks as they crashed to a surprise 0-1 defeat at the hands of newboys ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium.

Although DeMbare thrashed Bantu Rovers 3-1 in Bulawayo, with all their goals coming in the second half, none of the strikers were on target with defender Sydney Linyama and midfielders Sekete and Devon Chafa getting the goals.

Washington Pakamisa, Simba Sithole, Patrick Khumbula, Farai Mupasiri and Anesu Gondo are the five strikers that Pasuwa has used, without getting a goal from one of them, in the 270 minutes of league action that his team has played this year.

DeMbare have struggled at the National Sports Stadium, which is their new home this year, while in sharp contrast, the Glamour Boys have been so impressive at Barbourfields that their fans turned to social media yesterday jokingly asking their leadership to consider moving their home matches to the City of Kings.

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