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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
YADAH coach Thomas Ruzive yesterday said the club will assess star player Khama Billiat with high hopes that he will be declared fit for selection for the rescheduled Chibuku Super Cup fixture against defending champions Dynamos at Rufaro this afternoon.
Billiat was part of the Zimbabwe side that was involved in back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier wins over Namibia in South Africa in the last week.
He scored the winner in the first meeting between the Warriors and the Brave Warriors which the former won 1-0.
But the diminutive midfielder could not last the distance in the return leg on Monday, which Zimbabwe won 3-1 at the same venue, albeit with concerns about his health after he took an awkward fall in the second half.
Billiat and the rest of the local contingent of the Warriors players were expected back home late afternoon yesterday.
Ruzive told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the 34-year-old midfielder was a key member of their quest for Chibuku Super Cup success.
“Of course, he is coming back to the team and we are happy to have him.
“He has been involved in intense football with the national team and we will consider if he is fit to play.
“He is a key member of the team. We will have to assess him and if he is in good condition, and then we will make a decision whether to play him,” said Ruzive.
Billiat has been in good form for the Miracle Boys after returning home from South Africa this season.
He has also contributed goals in the league campaign where he is the joint top scorer along with CAPS United’s William Manondo and Lynoth Chikuhwa of Highlanders on 12 goals each.
However, Yadah are in mid-table on the log standing in 10th position and just a rung below Dynamos.
League meetings between the two teams this season have produced no winner following a goalless draw in the first leg before settling for a 1-1 result in the return match.
Although these statistics suggest an evenly contested affair this afternoon, there has to be a winner at the end of the day since it is a knock-out game.
On their part, Yadah will be looking to upset the applecart, having overturned the odds and progressed from the first round courtesy of a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Chicken Inn away at Luveve a few weeks back.
They had come close to winning in regulation time but Chicken Inn prolonged the process when Brighton Makopa scored an 83rd minute equaliser to force a tie-break, after cancelling out Blessing Ndereki’s 15th minute lead. They go into the game with spirits high after winning 5-3 against Arenel Movers in their last outing. But Ruzive will not throw caution to the wind.
“Dynamos is a big brand. So, we have to be at our best to match them. Remember they are the defending champions, and we can only expect a big game,” said Ruzive.
“But I think we have prepared very well. Our target is to proceed to the next round and then we will take it from there. Everyone is fit and ready for the game.”
Dynamos are also set to welcome the duo of vice-captain Emmanuel Jalai and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, who a re returning from national team duty.
Unlike Billiat, Jalai and Mapisa had to be content with places on the Warriors substitute bench where they were unused in both games. The Glamour Boys began their defence of the trophy emphatically when they thumped ZPC Kariba 3-1 at Rufaro.
Dynamos caretaker coach Lloyd Chigowe said they are taking the Chibuku Super Cup with more seriousness after falling out of the championship race.
Online Reporter