It can only be Khama

JOHANNESBURG. — Khama Billiat’s brilliance continues to leave a lasting impression on his coach Pitso Mosimane with his impressive start to life at Mamelodi Sundowns. The Zimbabwe international scored twice and was outstanding as the Brazilians thrashed Bloemfontein Celtic 4-0 at the weekend.
“Khama is a very good footballer and I’m happy he is scoring, as I predicted he would three weeks ago. He deserves to score more,” said Mosimane.

People think he’s just a good passer of the ball but he scores goals. He’s a true number nine and he can play where Cuthbert Malajila plays at the moment even though we use him on the wing.

“Malajila is doing well for us and (Dove) Wome, too, came to the party by scoring a goal and I’m happy the guys are scoring, it is great for morale.”

Billiat was Sundowns’ marquee signing during the off-season, bought for a lot of money from Ajax Cape Town, to provide the brilliance upfront that the Brazilians believe will propel them to glory.

And, if there is a man who has fallen in love with the dynamic Zimbabwean, then it has to be his coach Mosimane.
“You have to look at the chances he creates for us,” Mosimane said after Billiat powered them to a league victory over Bidvest Wits recently.

“He scored against Wits, he hit the post against Arrows and was also named man-of-the-match during that game.
“I think we need to get something out of this boy and help him to where he wants to be. This boy has got something and we wish him all the best.”

Such has been the impact that Billiat has made at Sundowns that Mosimane now believes their championship credentials have been boosted and the Zimbabwean forward could be the Player of the Season in South Africa.

“Khama is young, Sibusiso Khumalo is 20, Bongani Zungu is 20. It’s fresh legs — you need to regenerate the team. Sundowns need this,” Mosimane said.

“And it’s not easy when you do this. Sundowns supporters are not easy — they want a win and they want a good win. Sometimes, even Man United don’t get a good win.

“So they have to be patient. We’re pushing, we’re on course for now.
“If he (Billiat) goes on like this, he should be player of the year. He carries Sundowns. Look at the chances he creates for us — he scored today, hit the post twice on Tuesday, against Arrows was man-of-the-match.

“I think we need to get something out of this boy and help him to be wAere he wants to. And he’s happy. You could see it against Ajax. I was thinking maybe he wouldn’t want to play well against his old team, but he did.
“This boy has got something special.”

At the weekend Wome’s fifth-minute strike and eighth-minute free-kick that led to Limbikani Mzava’s own goal were what set Downs on the path to the quarter-finals.

“We were helped by scoring two early goals but we played well throughout the encounter,” Mosimane acknowledged.
Mosimane says Sundowns’ brand-new ensemble have yet to fully settle despite their champagne performance against Celtic in Botshabelo on Sunday.

The defensive machinery was screwed on tight while the midfield oozed horsepower.
Right-back Bryce Moon was like a Gautrain down his flank while former University of Pretoria protégé Bongani Zungu, playing in a deeper midfield role, proved his defensive worth.

And then there was the Wome and Billiat attacking show, which would have sent warning shots to the other PSL teams fighting for accolades this season.

They showed a synergy that usually takes teams years to develop and they didn’t even need former captain Teko Modise, who was an unused substitute in Free State.

“We are not yet settled — the day we settle we’ll be much better than this,” Mosimane insisted.
“We are trying to give as many players a chance because we acquired a lot of players (in the transfer window).

“The new guys are showing credibility and showing that they brought something to Sundowns to empower the team.
“We came here at the beginning of the season and scored three goals and on Sunday we scored four, so we’ve had a good time in Bloemfontein of late.

“Kaizer Chiefs came here and couldn’t win, so Celtic aren’t an easy team to beat at home.
“We took the opportunities we got and in a cup game even if you go through 1-0 it is okay. Having said that, it was good to score four goals.” — Sowetan/Sport Live/KickOff