The Sunday Mail
Petros Kausiyo Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE international midfielder and Kaizer Chiefs captain Willard Katsande has thrown his weight behind under fire compatriot Khama Billiat and insists the talismanic forward is still crucial to the Soweto giants’ ABSA Premier Soccer League title chase.
Chiefs, who enjoy a five-point lead over defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, host Ovidy Karuru’s Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium tonight.
Kick off is at 6pm.
Karuru will miss this encounter after being sent off in Stellenboch’s 1-0 win over Golden Arrows who have Knox Mutizwa, Danny Phiri and Devine Lunga on their books.
But there is no doubt that the spotlight will once again fall on Billiat this evening given that the Warriors talisman has been off colour since the resumption of football in South Africa following over four months of lockdown.
Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has conceded that his star forward has not been at his best this season but refused to be critical of the Zimbabwean international.
Billiat has come under scrutiny from Chiefs supporters for having scored just one goal in 19 appearances for the club in 2019-20.
The 30-year-old forward yesterday got the backing of his captain and countryman, with Katsande arguing that the former Sundowns man’s quality was undoubted.
Katsande said Billiat was not the only star player to have been affected by the lengthy Covid-19-induced lay off, but reckoned that his presence in the match-day squads showed his significance to the team and contribution to their quest for glory.
“As for my little brother and countryman, Khama, we all know his quality. He is not to blame and it is not like he is not doing well. There are certain things he is doing well to help the team and that is why you find him in the team week in and week out. He is a team player.
“Like I have said before, we are coming from a four-month lay off and don’t expect him to be on top of his game. We have seen it with top players like Messi or Ronaldo … it is not easy to pick up form after a four-month lay off. Everybody is not on top of their game so it should not be all about Khama and we should not put him under undue pressure.
“The most important thing is the club and let’s just work together as a team. We know his capabilities and we know everybody’s capabilities. I always tell him that there is nobody who has pressure so to say he is under pressure …aaah no,’’ Katsande said.
The former Warriors skipper, who is relishing the chance to lift the ABSA championship with Chiefs, insisted that Amakhosi had their destiny in their own hands.
“Everything is actually looking in our favour because when we lost the game against Celtic, Sundowns had a chance to close the lead, but they drew and we are now sharpening ourselves for the Stellenbosch encounter.
“It is not to going to be easy and it will be a matter of who wants it more, who will run more and who will work harder on the day.
“We need to respect Stellenbosch, get on with our job and be on the front foot from the start. We know they are coming from two wins but we need to be victorious as a club and march on towards our main objective,’’ Katsande said.
The title chase has been characterised by twists and turns, with both Chiefs and Sundowns dropping points at critical stages.
Katsande felt the race at the top and the relegation dog-fight have been “crazy’’.
Meanwhile, George Chigova, Charlton Mashumba and Walter Musona’s Polokwane City moved off the foot of the log table after drawing 1-1 with Highlands Park yesterday.
Former Warriors goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini retained his place for Highlands, but was unable to stop his defender Limbikani Mzava from helping Mashumba’s header into his own net.
Chigova and Mashumba started for Polokwane while Musona was introduced on the hour mark.
