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ZIMBABWE national team forward Khama Billiat is on the verge of becoming the first Zimbabwean player to win the African player of the year based in Africa award following his recent nomination alongside club teammates Dennis Onyango, Keegan Dolly, Yannick Zakri and Hlompho Kekana.
In the event that Mamelodi Sundowns win the CAF Champions League Cup which they have already set one foot into after their three-nil win over Zamalek last Saturday in the first leg final, Billiat stands a realistic chance according to the criteria which CAF uses to select the winner of the award.
The last time a Zimbabwean player edged closer was in 2011 when Edward Sadomba made it to the top 10, but the award was handed to Tunisiaa��s Oussama Darragi.
According to the CAF website: a�?Any player of African origin will be judged on his performance in the Champions League, Africa Cup of Nations and local championship.a�?
This means Billiat and Ugandaa��s Onyango are the only players in the Mamelodi Sundowns outfit who might walk away with the award as they are the only players who have managed to help their national teams qualify for the Cup of Nations, played an integral part in the Champions League and in the ABSA premier league.
However, the former Caps United player has a bit of an edge over the Ugandan goalkeeper as he was voted South African leaguea��s top player of the year last season and player of the year in his club after putting in 10 goals and 20 assists in one season.
A win for Billiat will not be a Zimbabwean victory only, but a victory for Southern Africa as the awards have been predominantly won by North and West African players with Zambiaa��s Kalusha Bwalya being the only player down South to win the African player award back in 1988.
His (Bwalya) Zambian counterparts also edged closer in 2012 when Stoppila Sunzu and Rainford Kalaba made it to the top three but the then in-form Mohamed Aboutrika of Egypt was too good for both of them.
Billiat has also been nominated for the African player award, but odds in winning this one are completely against him as the award is usually dominated by European based players and no locally based player has won it.
Southern African Players Nominated for Player of the year based in Africa:
Hlompho Kekana, Keegan Dolly and Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jackson Mwanza(Zesco United), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe)
Online Reporter