Nightmare for ex-FC Platinum star

Langton Nyakwenda

IT was a nightmarish outing for former FC Platinum star, Elvis Moyo, but joy at last for Khama Billiat, who silenced his critics with a crucial goal on an eventful Wednesday night in the Absa Premiership.

Kaizer Chiefs edged closer to their first league title in five years after the Zimbabwean star forward, Billiat, powered them to a 1-0 victory over Chippa United, who had Moyo sent off just 18 minutes after coming on as a 70^th minute substitute.

Moyo was sent off in the 87^th minute for a dangerous tackle.

However, it was Billiat who grabbed the headlines for the right reasons – for the first time in a long time.

The Zimbabwean has come under fire from South African media following a rather below-par season, but the Warriors talisman was on hand Wednesday night, sliding home a Samir Nurkovic near-post flick after only nine minutes.

That goal was Billiat’s second league goal since September 2019.

And Chiefs are now 90 minutes away from clinching a record 13^th league title going into the final weekend of the 2019/2020 Absa Premiership.

Amakhosi play Elvis Chipezeze’s Baroka FC on Saturday, needing a win to confirm this record.

They are tied on 56 points with Mamelodi Sundowns but enjoy a three-goal advantage.

Chiefs coach Ernest Middendorp, whose side has been accused of playing ugly football, is now focused on picking up points in the last match.

“It’s about points now. It’s about winning and I am fully aware of that,” he told South African media.

Sundowns routed George Chigova’s Polokwane 3-0 on Wednesday night, in a result that left the Limpopo side virtually out of the top-flight.

Polokwane City remain bottom with 25 points and can only get to 28 points – the same tally with Baroka FC – if they beat Terrence Dzvukamanja’s Bidvest Wits on Saturday.

Polokwane, who have an eight-goal inferior goal difference against Baroka FC, are now hoping for a miracle.

They need to beat Wits by a 4-goal margin and hope that Baroka lose by the same margin against Chiefs.

Polokwane City coach Clinton Larsen insists that his lads will give it their all in their final match against Wits.

On an intriguing football night, Kaitano Tembo’s SuperSport United eased into third place after thumping Baroka FC 4-1, while Knox Mutizwa, who is in the Golden Boot race, failed to find the back of the net for Golden Arrows, who drew 0-0 against Celtic.

Mutizwa is now two goals behind Gabadhino Mhango of Orlando Pirates, who scored his 15^th against Maritzburg United.

Arrows are 11^th on the table, while Talent Chawapiwa’s Amazulu moved up to 13^th after drawing 1-1 against Ovidy Karuru’s Stellenbosch.

Amazulu, Chippa United, Black Leopards and Baroka are now in a fight against dropping into the relegation playoffs.

Amazulu host Tapuwa Kapini’s Highlands Park on Saturday, while Chippa United date Golden Arrows.

Saturday fixtures

Amazulu v Highlands Park (Lucas Moripe)

Mamelodi Sundowns v Black Leopards (Dobsonville)

Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch (Emirates Airline Park)

Bidvest Wits v Polokwane City (Soccer City)

Cape Town City v SuperSport United (Loftus Versfeld)

Bloemfontein Celtic v Maritzburg United (Tuks)

Chippa United v Golden Arrows (Orlando Stadium)