The Sunday Mail
THERE are fears that Warriors talisman Khama Billiat is burning out after 17 consecutive months of action for both his club and the country.
As the national team prepare to troop into camp on Tuesday to prepare for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon, a concerned Peter Ndlovu, Billiat’s team manager at Mamelodi Sundowns, last week called Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa to express his worry.
Ndlovu requested that Billiat, who travelled a lot this year as Mamelodi Sundowns took part in the Caf Champions League and the Fifa Club World Cup, be allowed to join camp after January 6.
The former Warriors captain also pleaded for Billiat to be allowed to attend the CAF Awards Nigeria on January 5, 2017 where he is in the running for CAF Africa based player of the year award.
Billiat will compete with teammate Dennis Onyango and TP Mazembe’s Rainford Kalaba.
Chiyangwa, speaking from Capetown, South Africa, where he is enjoying his Christmas holiday, confirmed receiving a call from Ndlovu.
“His club manager (Ndlovu) called me, the highest office in Zimbabwe football, and made that request,” said the Zifa president.
“I am sure all Peter wanted to do was to make sure the request is not misunderstood because I am not the one who grants such a leave.
“We referred the matter to Pasuwa and I know he will deal with it in a manner that’s beneficial to the Warriors, the club (Mamelodi Sundowns) and the concerned player.”
While Pasuwa appreciates the idea of giving one of his star players a rest, our sources revealed that the national team gaffer wants Billiat in camp so that he can bond with his teammates.
“The coach understands the concerns over the player but he says Khama can still report for camp but be excused from training,” said an impeccable source.
“Building a team is not only about tactics because the relationship between the players also impacts on the performance of the team and that is something that Pasuwa is aware of.
“Remember Pasuwa was the first to warn of Billiat suffering from fatigue so there is no way he can be against the idea of giving the player some much needed rest ahead of the Afcon finals.”
Concerns over Billiat come at a time when the forward’s form appears to be dipping after a storming start to the year.
The Zimbabwean forward looks a tad too slow and had a disappointing outing at the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan earlier this month.
Billiat had hoped to lighten up the stage and catch the attention of European clubs at the world club showcase but was substituted in both of Mamelodi Sundowns’ matches.
Dutch based midfielder Marvelous Nakamba is also due for some rest according to his club Vitesse.
Vitesse sent in a detailed report on the midfielder and requested that he be excused from training for a few days.
Meanwhile, a local contingent of the Warriors left Harare for Ivory Coast early yesterday morning ahead of tomorrow’s international friendly against the Elephants.
But with the squad heavily constituted by locally based players, assistant coach Saul Chaminuka did not travel after being mandated with making sure that everything is in place for the Afcon training camp.
Sweden based striker Tinotenda Kadewere is the only foreign based player in the squad that is set to face The Elephants tomorrow.
