‘He just needed a stable environment’ – Yadah FC owner on Billiat
Yadah FC owner Walter Magaya has revealed what it took him to restore Khama Billiat’s confidence after his return to Zimbabwe.
The popular cleric and football enthusiast, Magaya, made an audacious bid to convince the ex-Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns star to come and play in Zimbabwe’s PSL.
Yadah FC, a modest club, beat giants Dynamos FC, who were initially believed to be Billiat’s first destination in Zimbabwe.
While his decision to join Yadah FC divided opinion, it turned out to be a wise gamble. When the season ended, the 34-year-old was among the best performers in the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Most importantly, he helped the club earn a significant amount of money in the form of jersey sales.
Billiat is now in the books of Scottland FC in the Zimbabwe Premier League after parting ways with Yadah FC.
MAGAYA ON WHAT IT TOOK TO RESTORE BILLIAT’S CONFIDENCE
In an interview with FARPost, Magaya disclosed that the club’s provision of a “stable environment” was instrumental in securing the signing of Billiat.
Magaya also stated that they helped the Zimbabwe Warriors talisman overcome his loss of confidence after his SA elite league struggles by offering him “love” and a pressure-free space to play.
“This was not a one-man win; a lot of people were involved; prominently, Scott Sakupwanya was in leading the negotiations,” Magaya told FARPost.Â
“That is why you are seeing him now playing at Scottland FC. It’s because of the role played in bringing him back to Zimbabwe.
“A player of his calibre needs no introduction, but at that time, all he needed was a stable environment. We gave him that. That is why you saw him being a resident at Yadah Hotel near our facilities.
“Class is permanent, and what he only needed is to be in a space without pressure. He needed to feel the love. We just gave him that space to train and get his touch back.
“Speed and agility had reduced, but he managed to get back to himself, and you can now see how he is. We also have Evans Rusike, he played last season but he wasn’t himself. This time, he is fully fit.”
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