Billiat, Chikuhwa's tussle for top gong

KHAMA Billiat, one of Zimbabwe's footballing icons, has made a sensational return to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 2024, adding a new chapter to his illustrious career. After an accomplished stint in the South African Premier League with Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns, Billiat had been widely expected to join Dynamos, one of Harare's top football clubs.

However, in a surprising twist, the 34-year-old forward chose to sign with Yadah FC, a club owned by the charismatic Prophet Walter Magaya, stunning fans and analysts alike. This unexpected move quickly made headlines, cementing Billiat's status as one of the most high-profile players in the history of Zimbabwean football.

Struggles and Triumphs in Local Football

Billiat's early days at Yadah were marred by recurring injuries, leaving his impact on the pitch minimal at first. However, after overcoming these setbacks, the forward found his rhythm, and his performances began to mirror the high expectations that came with his transfer.

As the PSL season nears its conclusion this weekend, Billiat has netted an impressive 13 goals, just three short of Lynoth Chikuhwa, the Highlanders striker, who leads the scoring charts. The two goal-scoring titans will face off on Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium, a match that promises to be pivotal not only for the title race but also for the Golden Boot competition.

Awards in the Balance

As the season concludes, the race for Zimbabwe's Soccer Star of the Year award heats up, with Billiat a strong contender for both the Golden Boot and the prestigious Soccer Star of the Year title. Despite trailing Chikuhwa by a few goals, Billiat's all-around contributions have made him a firm favorite for the Player of the Year accolades.

If Billiat does claim the Soccer Star of the Year award, it will mark a historic milestone in his career. He could become the first player since the inception of the PSL in 1993 to win the Player of the Year in two different countries. He previously won the 2015/16 Player of the Year with Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, a feat matched only by Wilfred "Silver Fox" Mugeyi, who won the 1992 Player of the Year in Zimbabwe before dominating South Africa in the mid-1990s.

A Day to Remember at Barbourfields

The final match of the season at Barbourfields will see Billiat and Chikuhwa, the top two goal scorers, competing not just for the Golden Boot but also for a place among the season's top three individual awards. Alongside them in the Soccer Star of the Year race are William Manondo of Caps United and Walter Musona of Simba Bhora, both of whom have had strong seasons. However, given the unpredictable nature of the selection process, surprises are always a possibility.

In recent years, the Soccer Star of the Year selection process has been under scrutiny. Initially in the hands of sports journalists, the voting panel was expanded to include coaches and team captains in an effort to bring greater fairness to the process. Despite this, partisan voting has sometimes skewed the results, as seen in cases where certain teams have dominated the vote despite underwhelming seasons.

To address these concerns, Southern Region journalists have introduced a new code of conduct, which mandates the public disclosure of selectors' choices, enhancing the transparency and credibility of the process.

A Historic Season in the Making

As the curtain falls on the 2024 PSL season, all eyes will be on Khama Billiat, who has the chance to make history and cap off his remarkable return to Zimbabwean football. His journey from South Africa's top-flight to the ranks of Yadah FC has captivated the nation, and with one final push, Billiat could yet rewrite the record books and further solidify his place as one of Zimbabwe's greatest football talents.