Zimbabwe: Warriors Call Up Dream Come True, Says Billiat

Grace Chingoma

18 March 2011

IN-FORM Ajax Cape Town forward Khama Billiat has described his Warriors call-up as a “dream come true” and revealed his eagerness to make his debut for the senior soccer team.

He was the only new face in the Warriors when returning coach Norman Mapeza named his 23-man squad for the African Cup of Nations showdown with Mali in Bamako on March 26.

The call-up was a due reward for the 20-year-old attacking midfielder who can also easily fit in a central striking role.

Billiat has recently struck a purple patch and has fired eight league goals including a fine brace on Wednesday night in the 3-0 destruction of Orlando Pirates at Newlands Stadium.

The former Aces Youth Academy forward was named man of the match in that game and pocketed R1 000, but more importantly for his team, Ajax Cape Town dethroned Pirates from the top of the Absa Premiership standings.

The two beautiful goals that Billiat struck must have also left Mapeza smiling and the Warriors coach later revealed his hopes that all his players would carry their fine club form into the national team.

But for Billiat the call up to the Warriors adds another chapter to his growing profile at Ajax where he started off by getting cameo roles in August last year before finally convincing the Urban Warriors coach Foppe De Haan and his assistant Wilfred Mugeyi that he is a genuine article.

Even his coach has rallied behind the player and said the player who has played on the left and right wing is one for the future and can be developed into a good striker.

Billiat this week told The Herald that he was eyeing a move to Europe and getting some Warriros matches under his belt could help him fulfill that dream.

“I am happy to be called for national duty. It was one of my goals that one day I would want to play for the national team. It is every player’s dream to play for your country.

“And if given the chance, I would want to do my best so that I will become a regular in the team. I believe I have worked hard to get this chance and should now prove it by playing well and probably scoring,” said Billiat.

The former Lord Malvern High School student said he would not be intimidated by the prospects of having to fight for a place in a Warriors side that has a number of regulars.

Billiat, however said he was disappointed that he would not be able to use the Warriors to make his reunion with long-time friend and former Aces Youth Academy teammate Knowledge Musona.

Musona will miss the Warriors clash against the Malian Eagles because of a shoulder injury.

“Our combination (with Musona) was just perfect. Actually I am missing playing with him. At Aces we would be played as twin strikers but sometimes Knowledge would play just behind the strikers.

“I remember the first season he was the top goal scorer and I was one goal behind while the following season I finished tops”.

At Ajax Cape Town Billiat has overshadowed fellow Zimbabweans Tafadzwa Rusike and Willard Katsande but the young forward who had a brief stint at CAPS United is not getting carried away.

He has also tipped the Urban Warriors to claim the South African Premiership title arguing that the youth in their team could work in their favour against the seasoned teams like Pirates, Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

“Our chances are very high. We still have four home games and two away matches. So far we have won all our home matches except for one.

So everyone in the team has that belief that we cannot be beaten at home and I don’t see that changing in the final stretch.

“As young players we are hungry for success and always want to do better. Actually our youth has reached us this far and should give us an edge over other title chasing teams rather than being a disadvantage.

“While we are not experienced, we do not respect our opponents but actually stretch them all the way and give them a good run and they battle to contain us and match our pace,” said Billiat.

Billiart is also not short of good company at the Urban Warriors where he has been enjoying playing alongside strikers Tulani Serero and Thembinkosi “Terror” Fanteni.

“I feel motivated and inspired to play alongside and exchanging notes with Tulani.

He is a good player and I always look up to him at training emulating him.

“My wish is to continue playing for Ajax because they give youngsters a platform to go and play in Europe and it would be wise to stick around rather than joining the big teams here,” said Billiat.

Khama was born in footballing family where both his father Mustapha and his late uncle Maxwell “Cheche” played for CAPS United.

Although, his father never made it big at CAPS, his younger brother “Cheche” went on to become a household name for Makepekepe in the 1990s.

Khama born exactly two years after Cheche burst into prominence at CAPS United has blurred memories of his uncle’s exploits in a side that included Joel Shambo, Shacky Tauro (both late), Eddie Muchongwe, Friday Phiri, Silver Chigwenje, Brenna Msiska and Tobias Sibanda (late).

“Although I was very young when my uncle played football and last played for CAPS United when I was around 10 years, I think he inspired me in a way.

“I just had this self belief that I would take over from where my uncle had left,” said Billiat.

Despite being well tucked in the cool ambience offered by the scenic Mother City Khama who was born in the sprawling high-density suburb of Mufakose still feels home sick.

“I have settled well but I still feel homesick and was very happy to be home in December.

“It is better that I have some Zimbabweans around and stay in the same apartment with Tafadzwa while Willard is just a complex away. There isn’t much to do around here and after training I go home straight and am always on my playstation,” said Billiat.

His friend Musona scored in his first competitive match for the Warriors in the 1-1 draw against Liberia in Libreville and Billiat will be hoping to do likewise and dreams that if he strikes, it would be the winner in Bamako.

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