Kaizer Chiefs attacker Khama Billiat has struggled to reproduce his Mamelodi Sundowns form. Image: snl24
Throwback to when Kaizer Chiefs star Khama Billiat was actually good
Once upon a time, Kaizer Chiefs attacker Khama Billiat was the best footballer in South Africa’s top-flight.
Kaizer Chiefs attacker Khama Billiat has struggled to reproduce his Mamelodi Sundowns form. Image: snl24
Kaizer Chiefs never saw the best of Khama Billiat, but that’s not to say he wasn’t a brilliant player on his day and at his peak.
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Khama Billiat through the years
Billiat’s rise 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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Superstardom 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 and was justifiably named 2016 PSL Player of the Season. Add 43 assists into the mix and this guy was a complete attacker.
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Career regression 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.
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What next for Khama?
Where will Khama Billiat be playing his football next season? If Royal AM truly want him, they’ll need to settle their R12 million debt with Nurkovic and then cough up Billiat’s considerable wage demands.
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game of football.
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