Chiefs swoop for Sundowns’ want-away striker Billiat

JOHANNESBURG: Khama Billiat again snubbed a new contract at Mamelodi Sundowns as well as several offers abroad, by joining Kaizer Chiefs on a three-year deal yesterday.

Amakhosi confirmed that the Zimbabwean talisman had finally put an end to speculation around his future, having been deadlocked with the Brazilians over a much more improved offer – to make up for being on a lower base since his arrival from Ajax Cape Town in 2013.

Chiefs swooped for Billiat, making him their marquee signing ahead of returning back for pre-season on Monday.

He was announced alongside two other players in defender Lethlogonolo Mirwa from ABC Motsepe League outfit Buya Msuthu and Andriamirado “Dax” Andrianarimanana, who was named Cosafa Cup Player of the Tournament earlier this month while playing for Madagascar.

As revealed by Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane over and over during the course of the previous season, the Brazilians, who finishedas champions and were helped immensely by Billiat with eight goals from 16 games, made several attempts – going back and forth in negotiations – to hold on to their striker.

But he would not agree to their terms – which apparently went as high as a R2-million signing-on fee and a salary over R220 000.

For Chiefs to land such a big fish, it would have obviously come at a heavy price even with Billiat arriv- ing at Naturena as a free agent.

The 27-year-old won three PSL titles with Sundowns and was crowned Footballer of the Season two years ago when the Brazilians won both the domestic league and the CAF Champions League just a few months apart.

Billiat is said to have been aggrieved that Sundowns were not willing to adjust his contract in the past when he was Footballer of the Season, rather recruiting more players and paying them telephone numbers while he felt his salary needed to be improved.

Chiefs have had no such problems in the past, especially when it comes to a player crossing the floor from Chloorkop.

Amakhosi si gned then- Sundowns captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele in 2016 as a free agent under similar circumstances. Defender Mphahlele was willing to commit at Sundowns, but they could not match his demands and Chiefs were only willing to do so.

Billiat is Amakhosi’s first official headline signing ahead of the 2018- 19 campaign, the club having kept mum over transfer dealings and only confirming the departure of goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo, defenders Tsepo Masilela and Sibusiso Khumalo, midfielders Keagan Buchanan, William Twala and Edmore Chirambadare.

Khuzwayo has joined Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates.

Chiefs also do not have a coach as yet and are still hoping to replace Steve Komphela, who resigned in April after three years in which he did not win any major silverware.

He took up a job at Bloemfontein Celtic earlier this week.

Avram Grant, an ex Chelsea coach currently in charge of North East United in the Indian Premier League and Stuart Baxter, the Bafana Bafana coach, have recently been linked with the vacant post at Naturena.

There has been no word from Chiefs about these reports, however, with Baxter now the favourite as the club attempts to lure him back from the national team, where he still has four years remaining on his contract.

Baxter coached the Glamour Boys between 2012 and 2015, winning two league titles and two other domestic trophies in that time. He is currently on holiday in Sweden and could not be reached for comment.

His employers – the SA Football Association – denied knowing anything about the coach’s possible return to Chiefs.

@superjourno

KHAMA BILLIAT