Pitso: Billiat a monster
SHOWDOWN: ‘YOU CANT STOP HIM, YOU CAN JUST HOPE TO MINIMISE HIM’
Michaelson Gumede
Out of all of Ernst Middendorp’s weapons of attack, Pitso Mosimane says his former marksman Khama Billiat will be the main dangerman when Mamelodi Sundowns host Kaizer Chiefs in a mouthwatering Absa Premiership clash tomorrow afternoon at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Billiat has been in fine form for the Glamour Boys this season, having missed only two league games for Amakhosi – they are sitting at the summit of the Premiership, heading into tomorrow’s game two points clear of the Brazilians.
“Khama poses a big threat – more than anybody else. He is scoring goals, that is why we like him,” said Mosimane, cheekily hinting that he is still interested in luring the Zimbabwean back to Chloorkop.
Billiat spent about five seasons with the defending champions, winning three league titles, two domestic cups, the Caf Champions League and Caf Super Cup along with the individual accolades of Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Midfielder of the Season in 2016.
“He knows the secrets and we have created a monster out of him. We taught him all the runs and all the other things. It reminds me of Pep Gaurdiola when he took Bayern Munich to play Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League. They conceded a lot of goals and who was the menace?
“It was Lionel Messi, the guy he had worked with all the time.
“Of course we have created a monster out of a talented human being.
“Khama is talented more than what we have helped him. He will give us problems ... you can’t manage it. You have to do what you have to do to minimise it because you can’t stop him,” Mosimane added.
While Billiat will be Chiefs’ biggest threat, Mosimane singled out Gaston Sirino as his most influential player and has told the Uruguayan to keep his temper under control as he is quite an erratic figure at times.
“He is the biggest influence, all he needs to do is to manage his temper. Even Hlompho Kekana spoke to him but it is a difficult one.
“But me as a coach I know how to remove myself from the emotions and focus on the game,” said the former Bafana Bafana coach.