Billiat training at Naturena before his disappearance. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Crunch time for Billiat, Chiefs: Will he stay or go?
As the season heads towards an end, it’s crunch time between Khama Billiat and Kaizer Chiefs as negotiations are expected to escalate.
Billiat training at Naturena before his disappearance. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
For quite some time, Khama Billiat’s exit from Kaizer Chiefs has been widely expected – even as he draws closer to returning to full fitness after a recent injury setback.
The increasing feeling has been that Billiat is in his final chapter with Chiefs, with some reports suggesting the 32-year-old’s contract is unlikely to be renewed when it expires after this season. It could bring an end to his five-year stint at Naturena, which has largely failed to live up to its hype since his move from Mamelodi Sundowns.
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However, in more recent reports, it’s seemed that the sentiment has in fact changed. A few rumours doing the rounds have hinted that Chiefs have had a change of heart, and would be open to extending his stay, although this might include a dramatic condition.
According to iDiski Times, the various parties are now officially in talks over a possible one-year extension at the club, which could be a compromise of sorts as the opportunity could then be presented for Billiat to revive his career over one more season where he hopefully remains fit and on form.
Whatever the case may be, it does seem that negotiations are set to escalate over the next few weeks.
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In a recent issue of Soccer Laduma, it’s notably reported that there is a certain “condition for Billiat’s possible stay at Chiefs”.
According to the report, this drastic condition would require the playmaker to take a whopping 50% pay cut. The publication suggests that he is currently one of the club’s highest paid players on a reported salary of over R500 000 per month.
Coach Arthur Zwane is apparently keen for Billiat remain at the club, but it remains to be seen how negotiations progress, and whether he would accept a pay cut if that is the condition in question.
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Chiefs’ remaining games
Saturday, 13 May v SuperSport United (A) – 15:00
Saturday, 20 May v Cape Town City FC (H) – 15:00
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In an interview with the Chiefs media department, Billiat recently provided more details into his recovery progress and the mental battle he has endured.
