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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
KHAMA BILLIAT is a huge doubt for tomorrow’s pre-season Carling Black Label Cup clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
He was placed in self-isolation pending Covid-19 tests.
The Zimbabwe international was withdrawn from the team’s preparations on Thursday after he developed flu-like symptoms.
Chiefs coach, Sturt Baxter, told reporters the attacking midfielder has been recommended for Covid-19 tests as a precaution.
Billiat was a hot favourite among the Chiefs fans, who traditionally vote for the players of their choice, to feature in this high-profile, pre-season Soweto Derby.
The 30-year-old Zimbabwean international had garnered the highest number of votes, and was among the top three, who included club captain Itumelang Khune and Samir Nurkovic.
However, Baxter revealed Billiat was among the Chiefs players who will not be able to take part in the Carling Black Label Cup, on health grounds.
“We have quite a long list. Obviously, the ones that have been out for a while, the likes of Lebo Manyama, Leo Castro, are definitely out,” said the Engishman.
”(Dumisani) Zuma is out. A couple of players have left us.
“We have Khama (Billiat) who went down today, with some sort of flu. He has gone home and we will be testing carefully, for Covid-19 et-cetera.
“Siya (Ngezana) has gone down with a hamstring injury. So, the list is long. Samir (Nurkovic), is also recovering from a knee injury that we have been treating.
“He trained today but we need to assess him tomorrow. So, there are a lot of players who won’t be included.”
The players, who play in the high-profile pre-season fixture, are voted for by the supporters. At the close of the poll, Billiat had amassed 131 527 votes.
Nurkovic had attracted the most votes with 193 766 with Khune second on 188 467 votes.
Midfielder Willard Katsande had also looked on course to secure his place in the team, after amassing 53 428 votes, on the eve of the ballot deadline.
The game will be played at Orlando Stadium and it will only be Baxter’s second since returning to the Amakhosi dugout.
Pirates are the defending champions of the competition, after beating Chiefs 2-0 in 2019.
The game did not take place last year due to Covid-19.
The Buccaneers have lifted the trophy five times, while Chiefs have claimed it three times, and Baxter has confirmed his side are having a few injury problems.
Baxter said he is hopeful that a few new Amakhosi signings can take part in the clash.
The Glamour Boys have signed nine players this window.
They are Keagan Dolly, Cole Alexander, Brandon Petersen, Sifiso Hlanti, Phathutshedzo Nange, Njabulo Ngcobo, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Kgaogelo Sekgota and Austin Dube.
However, none of the club’s new arrivals had enough time with the club to collect enough votes, to appear in Chiefs’ starting XI, for the Soweto derby.
Newboy Dolly has shared his thoughts on recreating the famous ‘CBD’ partnership with Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro, after reuniting with the duo, at Chiefs.
The trio won the league, CAF Champions League and Telkom Knockout treble while at Sundowns during the 2015/16 season.
Dolly (28) has returned to South Africa, for the first time, since he left Mamelodi Sundowns for French club Montpellier, in 2017.
He penned a three-year deal with Chiefs this week. Speaking to the Amakhosi’s media, during his unveiling, Dolly revealed he was still in touch with Billiat and Castro.
“We’re still quite close,” said the former Ajax Cape Town midfielder.
“We speak quite often, myself and Khama (especially), and it’s exciting times to play with them again.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter