dyton mupawaenda
Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
Yadah……………………………………………..(1)1
Herentals……………………………………………0
THERE is only one Khama Billiat.
The Warriors star demonstrated why he is the real deal with yet another sublime performance that he capped off with a brilliant goal in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League victory at the Heart Stadium yesterday.
He went into this showdown with a score to settle against the Students having seen red in the reverse tie which Yadah lost 1-0 at Rufaro two months ago.
And, the 33-year-old’s quality was on full display right from the moment referee Allan Bhasvi got the match underway at exactly 3:22pm.
The home side were dominant in those opening phases, thanks largely to Billiat’s sharpness in that Number 10 role.
And the dominance would soon reflect on the scoreboard with Tafadzwa Rusike lofting a good ball into the path of Billiat who met it first time at the near post and fired it into the roof net.
Herentals goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi could have done better but the sting in that shot, coupled with the intelligence of Billiat, was just too good.
Yadah should have doubled their lead 10 minutes later but Jerry Chipangura tried to be too elaborate, locking in the defender and getting too many touches and, as a result, allowed Herentals to clear the mess.
And the Students immediately took control of proceedings and Ali Maliselo should have headed in the equaliser two minutes before the break but he somehow failed to direct his header with a yawning goal.
The second half belonged to the guests who bossed the ball and the territory with 53-year-old Innocent Benza showing some deft touches.
Zibusiso Ruguchu twice had his looping free kicks missing the crossbar by inches and captain Blessing Majarira had the best chance to draw level but his execution was not up to scratch.
At the opposite end, Billiat was mesmerising.
Warriors coach Michael Nees, who watched yesterday’s game, should have left the stadium even more satisfied that he made the right decision to convince the talisman to come out of international retirement.
“I would like to give it to my teammates. It was a good game and when that ball came, I had two things in my mind,” said Billiat.
“The temptation was to lay it for my teammate but then I knew the goalkeeper had drifted in and then I took it in.
“We really wanted to win it especially given what happened in the first game when I was dismissed.
“We need to be disciplined and play with a lot of purpose. I am happy we did just that.”
Online Reporter