Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
CAPS United. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)2
IT was supposed to be about Khama Billiat.
It wasn’t quite about him though but he is a box-office attraction. And, in a way, it still turned out to be about him.
Billiat finally got to play against the very team that ushered him into stardom exactly 15 years ago — CAPS United, at Rufaro yesterday.
The Scottland star couldn’t do that upon his return from South Africa last year.
Twice, he missed the chance to face the Green Machine when he was still at Yadah.
On both occasions, he was on suspension and suspicions grew as stakeholders thought he was deliberately getting booked to avoid facing his former team.
But there wasn’t going to be a way out yesterday.
Billiat missed Scottland’s scrappy win over Triangle on the opening day of the season last week due to an injury.
But he was confirmed fit last week and trained with Makepekepe in mind.
He wasn’t at his usual best yesterday but Khama Billiat is Khama Billiat. He had his moments. Outstanding moments.
But he was coming from injury and had to be pulled out late on.
Tymon Machope and Sadney Urikhob found the net for the newboys who have now assumed top spot on the log.
But still Billiat was the main man.
At the end of the match, he poured his heart out.
“It was one of those emotional games for me,” said Billiat. “But, you know, with football, you always move, and you give credit to God to be still on the pitch, to face the team, the former team.
“And I just want to give credit to my team, to the boss and all the supporters, people came in numbers.
“And this is my first game for Scottland and I feel so good to start off with the three points and, yeah, you know, we are professionals.”
He added:
“We try by all means to come to terms with reality. We had a good session last night (Saturday night) to control our emotions during the times where you really need to give your all.
“So, yeah, it helped as well, because, you know, a lot will be going in your mind. You gotta stay professional and make sure you perform.
“I just want to thank my teammates for the hard work that they’ve been putting in. It has not been easy. You know, playing against CAPS United is big.
“They are a big team with a rich history. And, for us to be coming here, away game, walking away with three points, is massive.”
Billiat said it will be a long season but, for now, he and his fellow stars who make Scottland such a monster can bask in the sunshine.
