Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN Khama Billiat reached the CAF Champions League final with Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs in 2021, the former Zimbabwe international described that campaign as a movie that he had seen before.
It was his second appearance in the CAF Champions League final, having won the competition with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.
On his cup final appearance with Chiefs, Billiat and his Amakhosi teammates came a cropper against Egyptian giants and perennial Champions League campaigners Al Ahly who thumped them 3-0 at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco.
“I have had this journey before and I know how difficult it is.
“I know how great the feeling can be at the end, so it’s a movie that has happened before,” he told Goal.Com, ahead of that July 17 20221 final.
Although Kaizer Chiefs in Morocco, Billiat had written another piece of history.
He remains the only Zimbabwean player to feature in two CAF Champions League finals with two different teams.
Billiat is also part of an elite group of Zimbabwean players who have won the prestigious CAF Champions League.
Chris Semakweri (TP Mazembe), Cuthbert Malajila and Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns) are the other players from Zimbabwe to have won a CAF Champions League gold medal.
Billiat is back in African football trenches and this time he will represent a Zimbabwean team.
The 36-year-old forward is one of the key players expected to drive Scottland, who are making their debut in the CAF Champions League.
The Zimbabwean champions host Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini in a preliminary round first leg encounter at the National Sports on Sunday.
“The CAF Champions League brings back memories but it’s a reminder of the work at hand and how hard we should work as a team to achieve good results,” Billiat told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
So rich is Billiat’s football CV that he has drawn some vital lessons along the way.
He knows that financial motivation alone is not enough in the African safari.
On Friday night, Scottland president Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya dangled a huge carrot for the players ahead of Sunday’s CAF Champions League debut.
Sakupwanya revealed that he would pay $20,000 per each goal scored while flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo promised to avail $50,000 for the team.
Billiat wants his teammates to work hard for what could be a crucial victory for Mabvirarira.
“The most important lessons should be hard work and teamwork.
“With hard work and team work we won it (CAF Champions League) with Mamelodi Sundowns.
“Also, with hard work and team work we almost won it with Kaizer Chiefs when we eventually lost in the final,” said Billiat.
The former Warriors talisman, also featured in the CAF Confederation Cup with Kaizer Chiefs and scored a memorable hat-trick when Amakhosi dismantled Zimamoto of Zanzibar 4-0 in a preliminary round match on November 28, 2018.
Billiat made his top-flight football debut with Harare giants CAPS United in 2010 before moving to Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Yadah Stars and Scottland.
Sixteen years after making his top-flight debut, Billiat is still going strong.
He is still an influential player.
“Growing older means working extra hard for one to be able to at least try and keep up with the younger ones.
“It’s no hidden secret,” revealed Billiat.
He is enjoying working with Norman Mapeza at Scottland, the same gaffer who also guided Billiat when he was still making baby steps into the national team.
“He (Mapeza) is a coach that has higher expectations.
“I enjoy working with him because he pushes us to be better than yesterday all the time.
“It pushes everyone to grow in their game.”
Billiat’s story is never complete without mentioning his “long-time partner in crime’’ Knowledge Musona.
The duo emerged from Aces Youth Soccer Academy in the late 2000s before going on to form a deadly combination for the Young Warriors and the Warriors. Billiat and Musona are listed among the greatest ever Warriors.
They have reunited at Scottland where their experience has been crucial.
“Knowledge (Musona) is an amazing teammate who is always concerned with other people’s growth.
“I am happy to have shared the stage with him most of my career and now we share the same club on the continental stage.
“We are looking forward to giving it our very best.”
Musona and Billiat played together for the Warriors at the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
