khama billiat

Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2019 Telkom Knockout quarter final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Pietermaritzburg, on 2 November 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Khama Billiat eyes return against Stellenbosch FC

Khama Billiat travelled with the Kaizer Chiefs squad to Cape Town, where they will be facing Stellenbosch FC.

khama billiat

Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2019 Telkom Knockout quarter final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Pietermaritzburg, on 2 November 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs forward Khama Billiat could return to action against Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday night.

The Zimbabwean international was a notable absentee during the 2-1 Telkom Knockout defeat to Maritzburg United on Sunday.

This was after returning from international duty with a niggle.

Khama Billiat eyes return

He did travel to the Mother City with the rest of the squad, and could yet feature against Stellenbosch FC.

“We have been observing Khama since his return from national duty…He trained yesterday and looked better than last week. We will monitor him before making a decision on his fitness,” coach Ernst Middendorp revealed via the Kaizer Chiefs official website on Tuesday.

Ernst Middendorp

Why Billiat missed the Telkom Knockout semi-final

According to Middendorp, Billiat had a tight hamstring when he met up with the Zimbabwe national team, which he could have aggravated during the international break.

“It’s upsetting [that Billiat could not play]. He definitely went already with a tight hamstring into two national team games, but [there is] nothing we can do,” Middendorp told the media.

“He played against Botswana, and was already playing with pain.”

Ernst Middendorp

Ahead of the crucial clash against Maritzburg, the player failed a late fitness test, after training with a bit of discomfort.  

“He came back despite this and played in Zambia, and it was not possible [to get him ready to play against Maritzburg United],” added Middendorp. 

“We tried on Saturday afternoon with a late [fitness] test, but it was impossible to bring him in.”

Ernst Middendorp

This was not the first time Billiat had sat out a crucial game for his club after returning from international duty.

In September, the 29-year-old spent some time on the sideline, following the international break.

Meanwhile it still remains to be seen whether  Kaizer Chiefs will be able to call upon Itumeleng Khune on Wednesday.

The goalkeeper was declared fit for the match against Maritzburg, but did not even make the bench.

There are, however, some good news for the club in the goalkeeping front, with Daniel Akpeyi now eligible for selection after serving out a one-match ban.

Chiefs and Stellenbosch are meeting for the first time in their history. The match kicks off at 19:30 (SAST).