From the dusty streets of Mufakose a ghetto neighbourhood in Harare, a star was born. Despite his pint-sized stature, he was blessed with a blistering pace that in primary school at Gwinyiro Primary he was part of the athletics team and got into the football first team in grade 3. Growing up when the junior football structures in Harare still existed, he was already a star player. With the benefit of having Uncle Cheche Billiat a prominent footballer at Caps United a top team in Zimbabwe his path to stardom was set.
Aces Academy
Mark Duvillard’s Aces Academy scouted Khama Billiat to be part of its renowned football academy, leading to him joining Lord Malvern High School. At Aces, he was part of a galaxy of star players such as Knowledge Musona, Lincoln Zvasiya, and Abbas Amidu all featured for Kaizer Chiefs, Qadr Amini reigning Zimbabwe Soccer Star of the Year and the late George Chigova former Supersport and Polokwane City goalkeeper. His partnership with Knowledge Musona used to bring shivers to all opposition during their high school days. The academy went on to play in Division One (second tier) of the Zimbabwean football leagues, where Khama and Musona were scoring for fun, his striking partner Musona was so good that he went straight to light up the South African Premiership straight from the second tier of Zimbabwean Football.
Quitting Football
In 2009 having felt betrayed by the game he had so loved and given his all, Khama quit football to pursue selling music discs and phones. He turned his back on the game as he couldn’t endure the rejection from a lot of European scouts who all felt he wouldn’t make it into Europe because of his size he was deemed too small for European Football. Aces regularly toured Switzerland and had a chance to play in various tournaments, this disappointment he felt, was Europe or nothing.
Joining Caps United
As destiny would have it one afternoon, he accompanied his friend to take the bus to training at Caps United in 2010. When he got to the training ground, the coach saw him and convinced him to get a pair of soccer boots and join the training session. As they say, form is temporary, but class is permanent. Knowing Coach Lloyd Chitembwe played with Khama’s Uncle at Caps United back in the day, it was easy for him to convince Khama to sign with Caps United. It took Khama less than 6 months to set the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League alight. Ajax came calling, he joined Ajax Cape Town at the beginning of the 2010/11 season.
The Warriors
Khama has suffered heartbreak with his beloved Warriors, of note is one afternoon in Luanda with the Warriors just needing to avoid losing by a 2 goal margin without scoring having led 3-1 from the 1st leg in Harare, the Warriors lost 2-0 courtesy of a Manucho brace to miss out on the ticket to the AFCON tournament in South Africa, Khama wept. However, he went on to play a major role in the Warriors qualifying for 2 consecutive AFCON tournaments in 2017 and 2019. He was breathing fire at the 2017 AFCON putting a classic performance against a Riyad Mahrez led Algeria.
Quitting the Warriors
Just like before Khama quit again, this time his beloved Warriors in November 2021. The squabbles in Zimbabwean football were too much to bear, the National team was banned from international football 3 months later in February 2022. It seems when he feels betrayed, he takes himself away from all the chaos and pursues his peace. He chose to concentrate on his club football at Kaizer Chiefs, however, injuries did not do him any justice and him not being surrounded by the same quality as he was at Mamelodi Sundowns where he set the PSL alight, did not make it any better. Many questioned whether Khama still had it left in him or if his time was up. His contract expired at the end of the 2022/23 season and a contract renewal was not successful, he was a free agent. He trained with Supersport but a deal did not materialize. It all seemed like there was no light at the end of his tunnel, however as Khama regularly posts on his social handles, “In God We Trust”, along came Yadah a team led by charismatic Prophet Walter Magaya.
Khama’s Rebirth
After all the publicity of his failed contract renewal negotiations with Kaizer Chiefs, Khama packed his bags heading back home. He received a reception fit for a King at his presentation at the Yadah Stadium. He promised to do his best to repay the faith and love he was shown. He has gone on to set the Zimbabwean Premier League on fire, with 10 goals and he is currently joint top scorer. With this form, he has been the talk of the town, and everyone has been asking him if he still has it in him to give the Warriors fans one more dance. With the new generation led by Tawanda Chirewa who plays for Derby County on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers the future is bright however there is no substitute for experience, which guys like Khama will bring.
Losing his Friend George Chigova
Having played together at Aces Academy and gone to the same high school, George and Khama were best of friends, they would share the room in camp during their time playing for the Warriors. When tragedy struck, Khama was also going through a difficult time with his contract renewal and was unattached. He was visibly emotional when he was part of the funeral proceedings both in South Africa and George’s place of rest, Zimbabwe. To Khama from the looks of it football is no longer just a game for him, it’s now an opportunity for him to honour his late best friend the former Warriors number one. Now, Khama is back out of retirement to give the Warriors fans what they have been crying for, to have another dance with the Warriors. Starting with Kenya on Friday, tell your friend to tell a friend that Khama “Gaucho” Billiat is back.
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