The Star Late Edition

BILLIAT BENDS OVER BACKWARDS FOR CHIEFS

Zimbabwean superstar’s agent says he is injured and is not leaving Amakhosi

- MINENHLE MKHIZE minenhle.mkhize@inl.co.za

KHAMA Billiat has no intention of leaving Kaizer Chiefs despite rumours suggesting otherwise.

The Zimbabwean internatio­nal hasn’t featured for Amakhosi in their first three matches of the new year.

His absence has led to speculatio­n that he wants to leave the Glamour Boys, but the truth of the matter is that the talismanic player is injured.

His agent Mike Ngobeni said that Billiat would remain at Amakhosi.

“Billiat is still contracted to Chiefs. He is not fazed by rumours linking him to an exit from the club.

“The reason he has not featured yet is because he is injured. His absence has nothing to do with him wanting to leave. His heart is still with Chiefs, he is happy there,” Ngobeni explained.

Billiat joined Amakhosi from Mamelodi Sundowns last season in a huge transfer deal.

While at Sundowns, Billiat was a pillar of strength and a source of goals. When they needed inspiratio­n, Billiat always rose to the occasion and delivered the goods.

He inspired Sundowns to three Premiershi­p titles, the Nedbank Cup, the Telkom Knockout trophy as well as the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup during his spell with the Brazilians. He even won the country’s Footballer of the Year award because of his phenomenal performanc­es.

He was a free agent when he signed a three-year deal with Amakhosi but despite coming highly recommende­d, Billiat is yet to replicate the form that made him a Sundowns superstar.

“Billiat has not won a trophy with Chiefs yet. It is his desire to lift silverware in their colours, so this talk about him wanting to leave is just not true,” said Ngobeni.

Billiat hasn’t been at his best so far this season. In 10 Premiershi­p outings, he has scored just once and also has a single assist. He also didn’t rattle the opposition net in the two Telkom Knockout matches he played.

His poor form notwithsta­nding, the Zimbabwean superstar can still grab some silverware this season given Chiefs’ current great run in the league. Amakhosi occupy the summit of the Premiershi­p table after 17 games.

Chiefs play Black Leopards in Thohoyando­u on Saturday and it will be interestin­g to see if Billiat is back for that clash.

 ??  ?? Khama Billiat
Khama Billiat

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