Perhaps Billiat chose easy option
Kaizer Chiefs have made their biggest statement in the transfer market for some time with the signing of Khama Billiat.
It is slightly surprising that the Zimbabwean forward chose to sign with Amakhosi, after taking the decision not to renew his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns. There is no doubt Chiefs are a huge club, by far the biggest in the country if you take their support base into account. I would, however, have expected Billiat to take a bit of a chance and move overseas, to test himself in another league in another part of the globe.
This seems like a more comfortable choice for him, to stay in a league where he knows he is one of the top men, where he has already proven his undoubted talent in several trophy-laden seasons at Sundowns.
Still, it is an enormous coup for Chiefs as they bid to climb out of the rut that saw them win no trophies in three seasons under Steve Komphela. Billiat should certainly bring goals to Chiefs that they have been sorely lacking for some time.
Amakhosi failed to break the 40-goal barrier in a league season under Komphela and last season was the worst of the lot, with Chiefs hitting the back of the net just 27 times in 30 matches.
Billiat doesn’t just bring you goals, of course. He links the play superbly and should be able to create plenty of chances, too, for the likes of Ryan Moon.
Chiefs may well be about to make more attacking signings before the season starts, one of whom is highlighted on the page opposite.
Chiefs fans, meanwhile, seem less delighted that their team have signed Namibian goalkeeper Virgil Vries – announced yesterday as a backup to Itumeleng Khune.
Yet the point is, surely, you cannot expect an elite goalkeeper to agree to a position where he knows he will be second choice to Khune for the entire season.
This, ultimately, is why Brilliant Khuzwayo chose to leave the club. As such, Vries looks a useful back-up to Khune, and will hopefully prove his worth if he gets a chance.
Returning to Billiat, Sundowns are unlikely to be overly pleased to see their former star has signed for a rival as opposed to leaving the country. The question now is whether they also allow Percy Tau to leave, with plenty of apparent overseas interest in the Bafana Bafana star.
For Tau’s career, it will surely be better if he does move to Europe, but Pitso Mosimane must know that it will be extremely difficult to defend the Absa Premiership title and do well in the Caf Champions League without both Billiat and Tau.
There currently seems to be a bit of a standoff between Tau and Sundowns, which cannot help either party.
Finally, just a note to say please enter our competition on Page 10, where you could win an LG smartphone by voting for your Phakaaathi Player of the Season. Tau and Khune are among the nominees, along with Musa Nyatama and Siphesihle Ndlovu. Good luck!