After being sidelined during the September round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Khama Billiat is set to return to the Zimbabwe National Team fold to face Bafana Bafana.
The 35-year-old has been underwhelming in the 2025 Zimbabwe PSL season, where he is playing for Scottland FC.
He has managed one goal in 28 league matches and one goal in the Chibuku Super Cup, where his team was booted out in the quarter-finals most recently.
In truth, the stylish forward has failed to justify his inclusion in The Warriors’ squad. Coach Michael Nees even revealed that Billiat’s inclusion has been causing a lot of ‘noise’.
In the recent round of qualifiers, Zimbabwe struggled without Billiat, falling 1-0 away to Benin before suffering another 1-0 defeat to Rwanda at home. Their next Group C fixture sees them take on Bafana Bafana on Friday, October 10, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
KHAMA BILLIAT DRAFTED INTO THE WARRIORS SQUAD TO FACE BAFANA BAFANA
However, this time around, Nees refused to succumb to pressure and drafted the 2016 African Player of the Year based in Africa runners-up to face Bafana Bafana. Zimbabwe has yet to announce their squad officially, but FARPost is reliably informed that Billiat will face Bafana.
Last time out, Billiat was in international retirement from football as Zimbabwe lost 3-1 to Bafana Bafana in the World Cup qualifiers. The match was played at Free State Stadium in June 2024.
What makes this fixture interesting is that the two nations have contrasting fortunes, with Bafana in desperate need of maximum points to ensure they retain pole position.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are now preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] as they are at the bottom of Group C. The 2025 AFCON will be staged in Morocco between 21 December and 18 January 2026.
Bafana need to win both their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to be sure of qualification.
The Hugo Broos-led team faces a tricky situation, with the possibility of losing three points after FIFA’s decision to open investigations on how they fielded suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
As it stands, Bafana have 17 points from eight matches. Docking three points and three goals would leave Bafana level with Benin on 14 points. Crucially, Benin would be on top based on goal difference.
This means, Broos’ men must collect maximum points against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in case FIFA sanctions them.
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