Billiat’s ex-teammate says he must forget about Chiefs

Khama Billiat’s former Kaizer Chiefs teammate Willard Katsande believes it’s time for him to just forget about playing for the Chiefs ever again.

Katsande says Billiat has enjoyed his stay at the Naturena-based Chiefs and the two parties including Amakhosi must just cut ties and move on.

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The Zimbabwe legend shared his thoughts amid reports that Billiat has refused to accept a salary cut offered by the Soweto giants, Chiefs.

EX-TEAMMATE: BILLIAT MUST FORGET CHIEFS

Billiat’s contract expired at the end of June and media reports surfaced that he couldn’t agree to the new deal offered by Chiefs.

While Chiefs have issued updates on the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker, Billiat on going AWOL and his refusal to take a salary cut, he has been linked with a move to the Gulf region.

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‘King Salt’ as Katsande is known in football circles, stated that it’s high time for Chiefs and Billiat to call it a day and end their five-year marriage.

“Khama is my boy and my boy is a good boy. Obviously, they [Billiat and Chiefs] didn’t reach an agreement over a new contract,” Katsande told Sowetan.

“I know both sides and I understand both sides. For the team, it’s a matter of trying to move in a direction where they prioritise younger players and for Billiat, he’s trying to look after himself because now he has a few years left before retirement.

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“I feel like the two parties had a good journey and obviously every journey will get to its destination.

“So, I think this is the final destination for both sides. I wish both sides all the best going forward. It’s been a good ride for Khama to be there for five years and the club looked after him for all those years.”

CHIEFS ISSUE UPDATE ON BILLIAT’S WHEREABOUTS

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As The South African reported this week, Chiefs corporate communications manager Vina Maphosa confirmed that the negotiations have been suspended.

Maphosa rubbished the talk that Billiat has gone AWOL but said he doesn’t belong to Chiefs as he doesn’t have a contract.

The spokesman’s explanation came after Chiefs announced that they had not heard from him since June 29 when he was at Naturena, adding that he has not answered any of the calls made or messages sent to him by the club.

“It’s a very technical situation and actually awkward to call it ‘AWOL’ when the contract has expired on the 30th but our concern is on humanitarian grounds, that wherever he is he is safe,” he said, as per Thabiso Mosia on Radio2000.

“Khama reported for duty when we started this current pre-season, he was there, he did the medical test, he took part in the light training sessions.”

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