Khama Billiat opens up on xenophobia
e striker said he would find himself in the starting line-up even in such circumstances because of good performances on the pitch.
Gate said he does not envy being remembered as a club legend but believes he has left lasting memories in the teams that he played for.
“I think the twist in my legacy would be that I would be regarded as the legend of all football clubs and not just one team. I think I made a mark in the majority of the teams that I played for and I have never disappointed my fans. I have never been shouted at by my own fans and have given my best effort in all the clubs I played for,” he said.
Gate’s contract with Mohammedan ends in June and he is already contemplating what his next move will be. He said there are offers from several teams in India and if his side does not offer him a new contract he might move to another club but is likely to stay in that country.
Gate’s biggest goal haul came in 2006 when he scored GOAL.COM spoke to Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Khama Billiat. The 26-year-old shared his experiences as a Zimbabwean living in South Africa and expressed how the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has played such an important role in his development.
Goal: What impact has moving to South Africa had on your football career?
Billiat: I think it has had a huge impact on my career because I have been recognised here and I enjoy my football. Also it has brought the best out of myself and (I have) been able to experience the (Caf) Champions League with different clubs in Africa. It has really done a lot.
Goal: Which South African experienced players inspired and developed your game?
Billiat: There are a couple of them, players such as Surprise Moriri, Esrom Nyandoro, (Thembinkosi) Terror Fanteni. I played with Matthew Booth and Brent Carelse. All those people played a huge role in my career.
Goal: Were you a fan of the PSL from childhood, and why did you want to move to SA?
Billiat: Firstly, I was a fan of the PSL. When I was at home or at the clubhouse with the team I was playing 17 goals, including in cup games for Masvingo, but he says being used as a midfielder and in some instances a left back inhibited him from reaching a higher score margin.
He said India has been kind to him although he had to contend with a new environment that is different culturally and religiously.
“It is not easy to play as a foreigner but my club teammates were welcoming and people are friendly so I feel like I’m at home. There are differences in culture, like here it is women who marry men and people practice the worship of cows and snakes. However, it has been a great experience and through my travels I have learnt a lot of things in life,” said the 32-year-old footballer, who also runs a grocery shop in Kolkata where he is based.
The Kwekwe-born forward is married to Musline and they have two boys. He said he was lucky his wife has supported him despite his nomadic lifestyle.
“She actually encourages me to look for work and travel because she understands I have to put food on the table and that is the nature of being a footballer. I am glad the distance has not put a strain on our relationship despite that I can be away from home for long periods,” added Gate, who revealed he was last in the country in February last year but would be back to sort out his permit “soon”. for back home (in Zimbabwe) we used to watch the PSL. We used to support certain teams, I remember Knowledge Musona playing and I supported Bloemfontein Celtic. We grew up looking up to the PSL and it was a dream for us coming this side.
Goal: What do you think of the stadiums, soccer facilities and infrastructure here?
Billiat: It’s really good, looking from where we come from it’s something different. The atmosphere going to the game, it’s all different. The games are televised and it’s another motivation on its own. So you live a professional life towards your potential than just being in a disadvantaged league by not getting to experience a lot. But you get to explore when you come here and get to live a professional life. It’s really good for our career.
Goal: How is the quality of life in South Africa for yourself, your family and children?
Billiat: It’s at another level, you always grow up, you are always looking forward to the best and you try by all means to live the best life you can lead for yourself and your family. Everything is just on a different level.
Goal: Besides your home nation, are there any other countries in Africa you’d like to play club football in?
I’m not really sure when I’ll leave but for now I am enjoying football in South Africa. I don’t know about other leagues. For now, I am enjoying South Africa and I would only want to play overseas.
Goal: What is your opinion of the xenophobic attacks in SA?
Billiat: I just think in Africa we are one nation. I don’t think what is happening is great. South Africa has been best to me and it has been home to me. It’s really sad to see our fellow brothers becoming something like that and forgetting we are one family. No one is here to harm anyone, we are just here to be happy and together. It is really sad when people start fighting over something that people are not there for. I just believe it is not good but I don’t want to believe this will happen again. I just wish that everyone would just realise that we are one people who come from the same land.
Goal: Have you experienced discrimination on the account of being a foreigner in SA or anywhere else?
Billiat: Personally, I’ve never experienced that. I’ve been welcomed everywhere I go and people have been so nice to me. I want to believe that everyone is treated the same and feels at home.
Goal: How welcome have you felt at the club and among all soccer followers in SA?
Billiat: I’ve been treated like a local guy and I’ve never experienced discrimination from anyone that has been around me. It’s just amazing, I feel so welcomed and people are so nice everywhere I go. At Ajax Cape Town they welcomed me and here at Mamelodi Sundowns it has been the same. So I believe it’s happening everywhere and not happening only to me.
Goal: What message do you have for the South African public and soccer fans to unite all people in this continent?
Billiat: I just want to say we thank God with the talent he gave us and we want to believe that we are making football better every time. We want to believe we make them happy. Football is just a game, where it brings everyone together and to enjoy. That is all about football, to enjoy, to have fun and to bring everyone together. It is the best sport ever I want to believe. We must come together and be a family and enjoy football at its best, as long as we are united, football will always grow and take us to another level. — Goal.com/ NewZimbabwe.com