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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
NEW Warriors coach Michael Nees has scored a huge early goal almost a fortnight before his first international assignment with the Zimbabwe senior soccer team.
The German expatriate, who was officially unveiled by ZIFA on an initial two-year-deal last week, immediately set out to convince in-form Yadah Stars talisman Khama Billiat to come out of international retirement.
Billiat is enjoying a new lease of life since returning to the local league at the start of the season and so far, scored 10 goals in the Premiership and posted five assists.
And Nees, eager to get off to a bright start in his Warriors tenure and possibly guide Zimbabwe to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has been turning to the old and experienced players.
Nees has since Monday been battling to convince some of the players who had announced retirement to rescind their decisions and come back to the Warriors fold.
The 57-year-old coach had also reached out to striker Knowledge Musona, who is plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with the hope of luring him back into the national team.
But the former Warriors skipper maintained that he would stay out in retirement and instead focus on his club game as he reaches the twilight of his career.
Nees, however, did score with Billiat with the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs man eventually agreeing to come back for another dance with the Warriors.
The Yadah playmaker confirmed his return via a statement yesterday in which he also announced his availability for the Warriors’ selection. He was instantly drafted into the squad that is expected to head out to Kampala, Uganda for the Warriors’ back-to-back Group J qualifiers against Kenya on September 6 and Cameroon Stadium four days later.
Both matches are scheduled for the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
ZIFA and their Kenyan counterparts were forced to settle for the venue as there are no CAF-approved stadiums in either country.
But it is the coming in of a new coach and Billiat that has raised expectations amongst some of the Warriors’ fans.
In announcing his return from international retirement Billiat also revealed that he had been enjoying playing his game in front of home fans after a lengthy spell in the South African Premiership, where he also first featured for Ajax Cape Town.
“This season has been among the best phases of my football career,” Billiat said.
“I have played on grand stages, but nothing beats expressing myself in front of my people.
“Every time I step on the turf, I am motivated to do my best for my team and the thousands who love this sport”.
He added that he believes he can add value to the Warrior’s cause in their quest for a place at next January’s AFCON in Morocco.
“I feel I still have something to give to Zimbabwean football, locally and internationally.
“I have been reflecting deeply, and I am convinced there is one chapter which remains unfinished — between Khama Billiat and the Zimbabwe national football team I have reconsidered my decision to retire and would love to represent my country one more time.
“I will continue to work hard on the field and hopefully positively help the nation. I love my country and stand ready to serve if afforded a chance”.
Billiat hailed Yadah for the role they have played in his revival story.
“I appreciate Yadah and Prophet Walter Magaya for giving me a platform, a conducive one for that matter to showcase myself again,” he added.
“I am really happy to be back and I am keen to help my country in every way possible to do well at the international level.”
ZIFA on their part issued a statement indicating Billiat’s immediate inclusion into the Warriors squad.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is thrilled to announce the return of Khama Billiat to the Warriors squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Kenya and Cameroon, slated for September,” read part of the ZIFA statement.
“Following fruitful discussions between Khama Billiat and head coach Michael Nees the dynamic forward has been officially added to the national team squad, which was initially announced on Monday”.
The Warriors have been struggling without a playmaker in their recent outings and the coming in of Billiat is expected to add some conviction in the squad.
Billiat is jointly leading the Premier Soccer League’s scoring charts with CAPS United’s William Manondo and Tymon Machope of Simba Bhora.
He won the Castle Lager July Player of the Month and has established himself among the early contenders for the Soccer Star of the Year accolade this season.
Machope, who was in the Warriors COSAFA squad, has, however, been overlooked this time around as was Manica Diamonds’ Michael Tapera.
Online Reporter