OPEN letter to Khama Billiat: What went wrong at Kaizer Chiefs

Khama Billiat enjoyed a stellar career in top-flight South African football with Sundowns. However, his Kaizer Chiefs stint will continue to tarnish his fine legacy.

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BILLIAT’S PSL CAREER IN A NUTSHELL

BILLIAT AT AJAX

The young Zimbabwean was an electric prospect who even earned the praise of Man United’s legendary ex-defender Rio Ferdinand. That was after Ajax faced the Red Devils in a 2021 friendly. 23 goals in 92 appearances at a rate of exactly 0.25 goals per game (a very healthy return for a young player) paved the way for a move to PSL giants, Mamelodi Sundowns. Billiat also claimed 24 assists for the Mother City side in that time.

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BILLIAT AT SUNDOWNS

48 goals in 144 appearances for the Brazilians was by far Billiat’s best strike ratio throughout his career. 0.34 goals per game is a respectable goal-scoring rate for a man who operated mainly in wide areas or behind a conventional striker, and this was most certainly the peak of Billiat’s career from a personal and physical perspective. He also scooped three DStv Premiership titles and the 2015 CAF Champions League in a glittering five-year spell with Masandawana. At Sundowns, Billiat was arguably the best player in the country. Add 43 assists into the mix and this guy was a complete attacker.

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Kaizer Chiefs attacker Khama Billiat has struggled to reproduce his Mamelodi Sundowns form. Image: snl24

BILLIAT WITH KAIZER CHIEFS

Khama’s 24 goals and 29 assists in 126 appearances for Chiefs mean he directly contributed to 0.42 goals per game for the Glamour Boys. Contrast that with his stats for Sundowns, where his direct output was 0.64 goals per game. The numbers don’t lie, and not all of that can be attributed to him being surrounded by better players at Chloorkop. Injuries certainly didn’t help, but age also comes for all of us.

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What’s next?

It’s undoubtedly been an illustrious career for Billiat. A move back to the DStv Premiership has been touted but that would be a mistake. The best option the 33-year-old has now is to enjoy twilight playing years in Zimbabwe after clocking the game of South African football. Although recent memories point to an underwhelming finish, nobody can take Billiat’s achievements and countless memorable moments away from him.

Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game.

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