Open letter to Chiefs star Khama Billiat: We need to chat

Khama Billiat has enjoyed a stellar career in top-flight South African football, but his Kaizer Chiefs tenure hangs in the balance and threatens 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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BILLIAT WITH KAIZER CHIEFS

Khama’s 24 goals and 29 assists in 126 appearances for Chiefs mean he’s been directly contributing 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 really lie, and not all of that can be attributed to him being surrounded by better players at Chloorkop.

PLEA TO BILLIAT

You’ve graced the top-flight of South African football with undoubted quality throughout an illustrious career. Stay with Kaizer Chiefs for one more year. Help them get back into the CAF Champions League, where they belong, and sign off in fashion.

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