The Sunday Mail
WARRIORS talismanic forward and Kaizer Chiefs star man Khama Billiat has been rewarded for his historic goal with a place in the CAF Champions League Team of the Week.
Over the past few months, Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns stars have often featured in the weekly round-up of the best performers in each position.
However, with Sundowns losing 2-0 to CR Belouizdad, Match Week 6 has been the first time they have no representation, while the Algerians, who qualified for the knockout stage for the first time in their history, feature prominently.
Their goalkeeper Toufik Moussaoui, centre-back Sofiane Bouchar and star playmaker Amir Sayoud – who has netted seven goals in the competition this season – have all made the cut.
Billiat had missed some of Chiefs Champions League and domestic campaign assignments due an injury he sustained in early January.
That injury also meant that he was not available for the Warriors’ final Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Botswana away in Francistown and Zambia at home at the National Sports Stadium, where a 1-0 win over the Zebras helped them cross the line and book their place at the finals in Cameroon.
He, however, returned in time for Chiefs decisive Champions League tie against AC Horoya in Guinea, where they needed to avoid defeat to secure a maiden quarter-final berth.
The 31-year-old Zimbabwean international underlined his worth to Chiefs’ cause when he scored the goal that ensured that it was Amakhosi who advanced at the expense of Horoya and his fine performance did not go unnoticed.
Billiat netted the important late equaliser against the Guinea Ligue 1 champions to oust them on the away goals rule via the head-to-head standings in Group C.
For his fine showing, Billiat has been placed in midfield alongside Horoya midfielder Segei Baffour.
Zamalek legend Shikabala also features after starring in their 4-1 drubbing of Senegalese side Teungueth.
Last season’s runners-up failed to qualify for the last-eight as MC Alger and Esperance drew 1-1 in the final Group D clash to both advance at the expense of Patrice Carteron’s side. – Kick-off.com/Sports Reporter
