Billiat fever!

Langton Nyakwenda

EIGHT years ago, Khama Billiat and Dennis Onyango were the toast of African football.

They were both instrumental as Mamelodi Sundowns romped to their maiden and only CAF Champions League title in 2016.

Onyango, a legendary goalkeeper in Uganda, also led The Cranes to the 2017 first African Cup of Nations finals, for the first time in 38 years.

Billiat, then a flying forward for Sundowns, was also key as Zimbabwe qualified for the African jamboree in Gabon.

It was no surprise when Onyango was named the CAF African Player of the Year based in Africa, with Billiat finishing second, in January 2017.

Two years later, the two squared up against each other, when Zimbabwe and Uganda drew 1-1 in a group game at the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt.

Billiat was brilliant on that night, scoring the Warriors equalizer in the 40th minute, before harassing the Ugandan defenders in the second stanza.

Now 34, Billiat has announced his return to the national team after a three-year hiatus, and his first assignment is in Uganda where Zimbabwe take on Kenya in a Group J AFCON qualifier at the Mandela Stadium in Kampala on Friday.

Four days later, the Warriors host Cameroon at the same venue.

Zimpapers Sports Hub has gathered that Billiat could draw a sizeable crowd in Kampala, as he is a cult hero in the East African country.

According to David Isabirye, a senior journalist based in Entebbe, a city that is about 48 kilometres from the capital Kampala, Ugandan football followers are eagerly waiting to watch Billiat in action.

“He (Billiat) is very popular here in Uganda, mainly because he played with Denis Onyango, our former captain who has since retired,” said Isabirye who writes for Kawowo Sports.

Speaking to this publication from his base, Isabirye added: “The two were teammates at Mamelodi Sundowns and many people here follow the South African Premiership.

“Also, Khama Billiat faced the Ugandan Cranes, when Uganda played Zimbabwe in the 2019 AFCON finals, which were hosted in Cairo, Khama was very brilliant on the evening, with lots of dummies and dribbles.

“He caught the attention of many Ugandans who watched the game on television, despite his small frame.”

Coincidentally, Billiat is now teammates with another Ugandan keeper, Mathias Kigonya, at Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League side Yadah.

Kigonya is a national team player although he was not called for Uganda’s upcoming fixtures.

“The majority of the Ugandans are very eager to witness the wonder skills of Billiat.

“He is also now teammates with Mathias Kigonya at Yadah in Harare.

“Kigonya is part of the hierarchy in the Uganda national team although he was not selected.

“But he remains a national team player and many people here also follow him.

“Ugandans are very keen to watch Khama Billiat against Kenya at the Mandela Stadium”

Most of Zimbabwe’s national team players, including Billiat, arrived in Kampala on Monday.

They held their first training session at the Mandela Stadium under new coach Michael Nees yesterday.

“First of all, we thank the Lord for being here in Uganda, the conditions are extremely good,” Nees said.

“I think this in one of the best training pitches in Africa, we really appreciate the support, we got so far from FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations) and we cannot complain,

“The training session we had was not that intense, because the players travelled.

“So we try to focus with a reduced squad, but so far it’s really great and perfect,” said the German gaffer.

The Warriors are without FC Nantes striker Tino Kadewere who is out through a hamstring injury picked up over the weekend.

Manica Diamonds defender Farai Banda was called up as a late replacement and left Harare for Uganda with Teenage Hadebe yesterday.

Skipper Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen) and Jordan Zemura (Udinese) were expected in Kampala yesterday.

Zimbabwe are in Group J of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers alongside Kenya, Cameroon and Namibia.