Gavin Hunts Billiat form

NEW Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has said he wants to get playmaking star Khama Billiat

“playing in the right areas” to get the under-performing Zimbabwean star back to his best.

Hunt said if he can succeed in doing that‚ Billiat‚ with his experience at 30 now should be a double figures goal-scorer in the DStv Premiership.

Billiat, a key figure in Mamelodi Sundowns’ Caf Champions League success of 2016, scored just two goals and was noticeably under par under Hunt’s predecessor at Chiefs‚ Ernst Middendorp‚ with constant speculation and reports of the two not seeing eye to eye.

“I’ve got huge expectations. I know him from Zimbabwe to Ajax [Cape Town]‚” Hunt said in a pre-match Press conference on Thursday for Chiefs’ start to the 2020-21 season in tomorrow’s MTN8 quarterfinal against Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium.

“Yes‚ he’s older‚ but he should be a little bit more experience now‚ he’s a bit wiser.

“I think the most important thing I’ve got to do or we have got to do is start to get him playing to his strengths.

“Where we can get the best out of him. And that’s all I’m going to try and do.

“Whatever he needs. Support‚ extra work. If he’s willing‚ and I think he is willing‚ I think he’s got huge potential still.

“I still see him as a young boy from when he came from Zimbabwe. He’s a little bit older now. But we’ve got to get him playing to his strengths‚ and that means the right areas of the field. I don’t want to know what’s gone on here before.

It’s got nothing to do with me.

“I just want to see what’s in front of me and hopefully we can get him

... he’s certainly a double figures goal-scorer in the league‚ and that’s got to be the first aim. If he does his part the rest can do our part‚ and then we’re successful.”

Last week Billiat said that he was pleased to work with Hunt and is looking to get better under the former Wits mentor.

“I’ve always wanted to work with him,”

Billiat told his club’s official website. “He’s a great coach who knows how to win.

“We have seen with him, while coaching other clubs, that no player is ever guaranteed to play. He’s a coach who brings the best out of you.

“He makes players feel happy and that’s what we needed. You can feel it at training, there is a different energy. He made clear what he expected from me.”