Sports / Soccer
Europe beckons for Khama Billiat
21 Feb 2016 at 07:04hrs | Views
RED hot Mamelodi Sundowns winger Khama Billiat is a wanted man. But the attentions from European suitors will not distract him as his contract at the South African club winds down.
The 25-year-old Warriors star has been in dazzling form for his mega bucks South African employers, scoring eight goals and providing as many assists in 15 matches this season.
Billiat, who joined Downs in June 2013 on a three-year contract from Ajax Cape Town, is in the final six months of his deal and can walk out of Chloorkop for free at the end of the season in June.
Having suffered several injury setbacks, he has hit top form at the right time, forming a deadly attacking trio fondly referred to as the "CBD" with Bafana Bafana youth international Keegan Dolly and Colombian striker Leonardo Castro.
The CBD was instrumental in Downs' 19-match unbeaten run, which was halted by Zimbabwe's Chicken Inn in a CAF Champions League preliminary round tie at Barbourfields in Bulawayo last weekend.
Billiat has undoubtedly been the most lethal weapon in the deadly trio and was missed dearly by coach Pitso Mosimane as the South Africans fell to a Mitchell Katsvairo goal.
Mosimane's side, which is famed for paying mouthwatering salaries in the region of R350 000 to its stars, in December tried to extend the Aces Youth Academy graduate's contract by another year but the Mufakose-bred attacker is reportedly dragging his feet on committing as he would rather move to Europe.
It is a move which looks incrfeasingly likely with every passing game in which he delivers the goods.
English Premier League side Swansea City, Napoli of the Italian Serie A as well as the French Ligue 1 duo of AS Monaco and Lille are reportedly angling for Billiat's signature, but the diminutive winger is not reading much into those rumours.
In an interview from his base in Pretoria on Thursday, Billiat said he was only concentrating on his game with Sundowns.
"There is no secret (to my current form) besides the hard work that I put into the game to make sure I play to the best of my abilities every time.
"I am just focusing on my game at Sundowns and I know if I do that then I stand a chance of going to Europe," said Billiat who was not very keen to discuss his future."
His attentions are firmly on the return leg against Chicken Inn at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Billiat missed the first game due to injury.
"It was very disappointing but it was not of my making. I tried hard to make it and as you saw, I even did the warm up with the hope of shaking off the injury but I couldn't play.
"We are still positive about our prospects of progressing and we will use home advantage just like they did in the first leg," said the dribbling wizard.
The 25-year-old Warriors star has been in dazzling form for his mega bucks South African employers, scoring eight goals and providing as many assists in 15 matches this season.
Billiat, who joined Downs in June 2013 on a three-year contract from Ajax Cape Town, is in the final six months of his deal and can walk out of Chloorkop for free at the end of the season in June.
Having suffered several injury setbacks, he has hit top form at the right time, forming a deadly attacking trio fondly referred to as the "CBD" with Bafana Bafana youth international Keegan Dolly and Colombian striker Leonardo Castro.
The CBD was instrumental in Downs' 19-match unbeaten run, which was halted by Zimbabwe's Chicken Inn in a CAF Champions League preliminary round tie at Barbourfields in Bulawayo last weekend.
Billiat has undoubtedly been the most lethal weapon in the deadly trio and was missed dearly by coach Pitso Mosimane as the South Africans fell to a Mitchell Katsvairo goal.
Mosimane's side, which is famed for paying mouthwatering salaries in the region of R350 000 to its stars, in December tried to extend the Aces Youth Academy graduate's contract by another year but the Mufakose-bred attacker is reportedly dragging his feet on committing as he would rather move to Europe.
It is a move which looks incrfeasingly likely with every passing game in which he delivers the goods.
English Premier League side Swansea City, Napoli of the Italian Serie A as well as the French Ligue 1 duo of AS Monaco and Lille are reportedly angling for Billiat's signature, but the diminutive winger is not reading much into those rumours.
In an interview from his base in Pretoria on Thursday, Billiat said he was only concentrating on his game with Sundowns.
"There is no secret (to my current form) besides the hard work that I put into the game to make sure I play to the best of my abilities every time.
"I am just focusing on my game at Sundowns and I know if I do that then I stand a chance of going to Europe," said Billiat who was not very keen to discuss his future."
His attentions are firmly on the return leg against Chicken Inn at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Billiat missed the first game due to injury.
"It was very disappointing but it was not of my making. I tried hard to make it and as you saw, I even did the warm up with the hope of shaking off the injury but I couldn't play.
"We are still positive about our prospects of progressing and we will use home advantage just like they did in the first leg," said the dribbling wizard.
Source - sundaymail
