Billiat, Katsande handed new deals
KAIZER CHIEFS appear to have activated an option to keep Khama Billiat for another year, after the forward’s contract expired yesterday.
The Soweto giants always held the aces as they had the first option to trigger a one- year extension, in the event their three- year deal with Billiat, elapsed.
Reports from South Africa yesterday indicated the Amakhosi had activated the extension.
The reports also said Willard Katsande, Itumeleng Khune and Bernard Parker will be offered new deals.
Two other Zimbabweans, Danny Phiri and goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda, found themselves clubless, yesterday, after they were released by Golden Arrows.
Chiefs, who have qualified for the CAF Champions League final, will face Egyptian giants, Al Ahly, on July 17, in the decider, in Morocco.
Katsande and Billiat are among the key players whose contracts were being reviewed.
The others are Parker, Khune, Lebogang Manyama, Kgotso Moleko, Philani Zulu, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Eric Mothoho, Bruce Bvuma and Brylon Petersen.
Billiat has been far from his best, since joining Chiefs from Mamelodi Sundowns, because of a series of injuries, which have made it difficult for him to find any rhythm.
The 30- year- old last played on April 25.
He scored just two goals, and provided six assists, in an injury- ravaged campaign, last season.
Billiat made 21 appearances spread across the league, the MTN8 and the CAF Champions League.
But, he scored the all- important equaliser, against Horoya AC of Guinea, in that 2- 2 draw in the Champions League, group stages.
Chiefs could also have sent a message, when they used Billiat as one of the players to model their new range of winter lifestyle apparel, yesterday.
Katsande, the 35- year- old midfielder, played a big role in Chiefs’ Champions League campaign.
Chiefs had a mixed season in which they reached the Champions League final while struggling on the domestic front.
Club’s communications manager, Vina Maphosa, said their focus was on the Champions League final.
Maphosa said only when the administration, headed by football manager Bobby Motaung‚ finalise the contract talks, with affected parties‚ will the Amakhosi advise of the developments.
“At Kaizer Chiefs, you’ll never hear us talking about contracts at any given time,’’ Maphosa told The Sowetan newspaper.
“The only time you’ll hear us talking about them is when we make the announcement — we don’t communicate the process.
“When everything has been finalised that’s when I get names from the football administration.
“The new coach ( Stuart Baxter) has just arrived and we’re in the middle of the CAF Champions League.
“The focus from the coach has been on the team and I haven’t seen a lot administration activity with the coach.
“What I can confirm is that we’re very busy ( on the transfer market). We’re definitely busy discussing‚ engaging‚ and targeting.
“That activity is at an advance stage. The only thing we can’t tell you is how far we are‚ but once we finish we will inform you.”
Katsande bullied t he midfield, against Wydad, and was an instrumental as a backup, in defence.
He also equaled Tinashe Nengomasha’s record, for the most number of appearances by a foreign player, at the Amakhosi.
Phiri and Sibanda were released by Golden Arrows yesterday.
“We bid farewell to Danny Phiri and Edmore Sibanda. We would like to take this time to thank both Danny and Edmore for their contributions and services to the club and wish them well in their future endeavours.”
Phiri joined Golden Arrows in 2016 but has struggled with injuries lately.
Sibanda moved to Golden Arrows, in 2019, after impressing at the AFCON finals earlier that year.