Billiat in his Ajax days. Image: The Herald
Billiat in a nutshell: Ajax, Downs and Chiefs stats paint a picture
Billiat’s been brilliant for most of his career. Which version was the best?
Billiat in his Ajax days. Image: The Herald
Khama Billiat has graced the top flight of South African football with undoubted quality throughout his illustrious career. However, a poor stint at Kaizer Chiefs leaves a strange taste in the mouth. Here’s a reminder of his brilliance, especially at Sundowns.
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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) paved the way for a move to PSL giants, Mamelodi Sundowns.
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BILLIAT AT SUNDOWNS
47 goals in 140 appearances for the Brazilians was by far Billiat’s best strike ratio throughout his club 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. 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 among others, in a glittering five-year spell with Masandawana. At Sundowns, Billiat was arguably the best player in the country for more than a couple of years.
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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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Which version of Billiat was the best?
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game.
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