Scottland FC head coach Tonderai Ndiraya has revealed his stance on Khama Billiat’s performances at the club this season, offering a candid assessment of the Zimbabwean attacker’s impact.
The former Kaizer Chiefs star Billiat hasn’t made a significant impact since his move from Yadah FC at the beginning of the new campaign in Zimbabwe’s top-flight. At Yadah FC, he contributed to 24 goals, scoring 13 and assisting 11.
This season, he has been a pale shadow of himself, with one goal and two assists after eight games in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Billiat and Walter Musona have often been introduced as substitutes as coach Ndiraya is tinkering with his star-studded squad to find lasting solutions.
Naturally, Billiat, who forged a successful career in the Betway Premiership, has come under scrutiny. In eight matches, Billiat’s team has won three times, drawn four times, and lost once.
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However, coach Ndiraya has exonerated Billiat, admitting that competition in the team is at its all-time best this season. Ndiraya arguably has the best squad at his disposal, but they have yet to click into the right gear.
Speaking after being held to a 1-1 draw by ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match on Saturday, Ndiraya shielded the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns man, saying his whole team has been overwhelmed.
“Well, I wouldn’t really want to focus on Khama Billiat alone, but my personal feeling is that the team has been playing very well,” said Ndiraya. “Competition has been very high for Billiat and everyone else. It’s different from last season.
“I think if you look at our players now, they’re exhausted. We knew that was going to happen, but what was important for us was to get the results under those conditions. And I’m happy that the players did their best. They have always fought hard.”
Ndiraya has fingers crossed, praying that the hype around their massive pool of talented players won’t be an exercise in futility.
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