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Langton Nyakwenda and Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
KHAMA BILLIAT might have turned 35 on Tuesday, amid a dip in both form and appearances for Scottland, but the veteran midfielder still remains a key component in Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees’ plans.
The German gaffer last year persuaded Billiat to come out of international retirement and the talismanic midfielder featured prominently as Zimbabwe sealed their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled for Morocco in December into January 2026.
He was on the books of Yadah Stars then.
However, Billiat has made a few starts for Premiership debutants Scottland this season, thanks to a combination of injuries and substitute appearances.
But, Nees sees something special in the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs talisman.
The Warriors coach still believes in Billiat’s productivity and is also excited with the reunion of the forward with his childhood friend and strike partner Knowledge Musona.
Both players are now at Scottland.
Musona, who is also 35, joined Scottland from Saudi Arabia club Al-Okhdood in July.
Just like Billiat, Musona was also talked out of international retirement by Nees.
He featured for the Warriors in their two World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria in March.
“I think it’s very good for them to be playing in one team.
“Scottland are a high-level team, they have a lot of top players, they are investing a lot in football.
“Khama and Knowledge’s reunion could be good for our AFCON ambitions, they get to interact more often,” said Nees.
The duo of Billiat and Musona will certainly be part of the squad that will play in the upcoming two World Cup qualifiers against Benin in Cote d’Ivoire and Rwanda at South Africa’s Orlando stadium early next month.
Benin, who like Zimbabwe do not have a Confederation of African Football-certified stadium, will host the Warriors at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Cote d’Ivoire on September 5.
Four days later the Warriors entourage must be in Johannesburg, ready to host the Wasps of Rwanda as the National Sports Stadium in Harare is also still banned from hosting any international matches by CAF.
While Billiat’s appearances for Scottland may have been sporadic, for Nees, the forward remains a vital and experienced cog in his Warriors ensemble.
“Khama remains key, I brought him back, if he is injured then he is injured.
“If he is not then he is not.
“I don’t bring a player back and then give them a kick in the back, it was well discussed, these are experienced players and our team needed that.
“This is not a five-year plan, of course, they are getting old but they are still productive,” said Nees.
The German also wants Billiat and Musona to have a decent farewell.
“It’s also exciting for them to play together at the end of their career, they came from the same academy, but the biggest challenge is the pitches to showcase their talents.
“We need to give them a perfect and proper farewell to their international career and we will give them one,” said Nees.
Billiat and Musona are products of the famed Aces Youth Soccer Academy in Harare.
After graduating from Aces Academy, the two stars went separate ways with Musona, the first to move out, starting his career at Kaizer Chiefs in 2009.
Billiat soon joined the trek to South Africa when he moved to Ajax Cape Town after a brief stint with CAPS United.
Musona’s career then took him to Europe and Saudi Arabia before his return home.
On his part, Billiat had a dance with Kaizer Chiefs after a successful stint at Mamelodi Sundowns with whom he won the CAF Champions League title and came perilously close to winning the African Footballer of the Year gong.
The pair has now reunited at Scottland and they are playing for the same professional club for the first time in their illustrious careers.
Just like Nees in the Warriors, Billiat and Musona’s Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya is also counting on the duo’s experience to fuel his side’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title chase in what promises to be a nail-biting race that could go to the wire.
Scottland are in second position, with 49 points, just one behind log leaders and champions Simba Bhora.
With nine games left and 27 points up for grabs, Ndiraya’s ability to remain calm even when under-fire and the squad’s experienced core could be the X-factor in a league where consistency is key.
Ndiraya seems to be sticking to his trusted blueprint. The same steely resolve that propelled Simba Bhora to glory last season.
He was the Simba Bhora head coach last year, guiding them to the championship title on the second time of asking.
“You need courage. You need to be calm.
“This year, the league’s fiercest in years, top-six margins are razor-thin,” Ndiraya said.
“It may sound awkward, but this is who we are. When you are in the top five you have a very big chance to land the title.
“In our ranks we have players who are experienced and we don’t want to put them under pressure.”
With Scottland picking form at the right time, Ndiraya will be hoping they can maintain their purple patch, which has seen them garner six straight league wins.
“Football is a funny game, I hope we are going to maintain that and put points on the board.’’ Ndiraya knows it will not be easy but neither is it insurmountable, especially with Billiat and Musona in his books.
Nees also knows that with the pair of Billiat and Musona available, he will not be short on experience when the Warriors get their Nations Cup assignment underway with group matches in Marrakech and Agadir, Morocco.
Online Reporter
It’s only in Zimbabwe where over 30 year olds are the best footballers. While other countries have teen-agers creating waves, we are busy hailing geriatrics as our football superstars. It’s embarrassing. Even these old players must feel ashamed. We know over 30 year olds are coaches not players. Our football is in the intensive care.