Home
28 January 2020
Kaizer Chiefs could get a significant boost ahead of their Nedbank Cup Last 32 tie at home to Royal Eagles on February 8 with the news that striker Khama Billiat is working his way back to fitness.The Zimbabwe international has been in and out of training for a number of weeks with niggling injuries, and has yet to play for the side in 2020.
Coach Ernst Middendorp says they have been doing extensive fitness work with the player on the sidelines, trying to build his body up, and hopes that he will be ready for the for the clash with Eagles. “Khama, in mid-December we took him out to strengthen him. His last game was on December 22 in Maritzburg and after that we took him out," the German coach said.
"It can be possible that we get him right in the next two weeks but if we need more time, then we will do that." Not that Chiefs have particularly missed their star man with Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro proving a dynamic duo up front for the league leaders. Billiat has had a mixed time since he joined from Mamelodi Sundowns in a high-profile move ahead of the 2018/19 season.
He has played 47 matches in all domestic competitions since, scoring 10 goals, but has not shown the same kind of proficiency as he managed with The Brazilians, and before that Ajax Cape Town. Billiat played all five games as Sundowns claimed the 2015 Nedbank Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over former side Ajax, and was a leading man again as Chiefs reached the final last year.
But he could not help the side to victory as they were stunned 1-0 in the final by second-tier TS Galaxy. In all he has made 18 appearances in the Nedbank Cup competition, scoring five goals in the process. Chiefs are seeking a first success in the Nedbank Cup since they defeated SuperSport United 1-0 in the 2013 final.
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.