Andrew
KHAMA BILLIAT’s barren spell in the DStv Premiership might have stretched to 11 matches but the former Zimbabwe international had decent showing as his Kaizer Chiefs claimed the latest of Soweto derby against rivals Orlando Pirates yesterday.
Yusuf Maart’s wonder goal in the second half guided Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-0 win.
Chiefs were without Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana, with Billiat, Dillon Solomons and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo recalled by coach Arthur Zwane, while Pirates slotted Goodman Mosele for the suspended Miguel Timm.
Billiat has been struggling to regain his form following a knee injury.
Pressure has also been mounting again on the Zimbabwean, who is yet to open his scoring account this season.
But he was lively in the Chiefs attack, especially in the opening moments of yesterday’s derby clash.
It was a lively opening period, where chances on both ends came through Innocent Maela from a corner-kick before a one-hand save from Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane parried Keagan Dolly’s rasping shot at the other end.
There was a forced change for the Buccaneers before the half-hour mark, as an injury saw the removal of captain Innocent Maela, who was replaced by Paseka Mako.
The disruption did not affect the hosts, as they carved out an opening minutes later when Kermit Erasmus fired inches wide off the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Chiefs, though, were closest to the lead three minutes after the half-hour mark as the pace of Ashley Du Preez caught the Buccaneers napping and forced Mpontshane into two point-blank saves in quick succession.
As Pirates brought on Fortune Makaringe and Kabelo Dlamini at half-time, the hosts came close to the lead moments later when Monnapule Saleng headed over in the area following a cross.
Pirates upped the tempo ahead of the closing quarter in the second half and saw Erasmus cut inside from a tight angle in the area before going wide off the bottom corner.
The Amakhosi went ahead near the last 15 minutes after Yusuf Maart spotted Mpontshane off the goal-line and from the half-way line fired in an unguarded net.
Chiefs added Reeve Frosler for Solomons and Siyethemba Sithebe for the goal-scorer Maart in an effort to consolidate matters with full-time on the horizon.
At the end, the Glamour Boys shored up the closing exchanges of play and secured the bragging rights in the process.
In the run-up to the game, Chiefs vice-captain Dolly had leapt into Billiat’s corner in the wake of the criticism that has been aimed at the forward.
As has grown to be the case through most of his time at Chiefs, Billiat has been subjected to severe criticism mostly bordering on opinions based on what he is said to be earning in relation to the return he has given the club.
While Dolly has featured in all 15 games for Chiefs this season and scored four goals, Billiat is without a goal in 11 appearances after battling with a knee injury.
“Khama has been long in the game and is experienced,” said Dolly, who has previously played with Billiat at Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town.
“In times when he is struggling to score goals for the club, he always came out on top because of experience.
“We all know that Khama Billiat is a quality player.
“We all know his strengths.
“I think it is going to take one game and one goal to change all of this.
“Even, I started the season very slow and then started scoring goals and getting my confidence back, so I think one goal will help Khama up,” Dolly said. — Sports Reporter/kick-off.com
Online Reporter