Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Khama Billiat has said the ongoing suspension of Zimbabwe from international competitions is destroying the careers of local footballers.
Zimbabwe was suspended following the Sports Recreation Commission’s decision to suspend the Felton Kamambo-led Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] executive board last year over allegations of misappropriation of public funds.
FIFA stepped in to suspend the country over the government’s interference in football matters and insisted Kamambo &Co should be brought back if the ban is lifted.
Chiefs star Billiat, who retired from international football last year, says the ban has negatively impacted local players who have dreams of playing outside the country.
“There are several good players who need to play in the national team to get exposure.
“So It’s not a nice thing to have good players who deserve to be playing in bigger leagues, but because of the exposure, they are limited,” he told the media.
The former Ajax and Mamelodi Sundowns ace crossed the Limpopo at a young age, having come through the Aces academy in Harare.
He was part of Sundowns’ team that won the CAF Champions League in 2016 and several other titles. Billiat became one of the national team’s most influential players recently.
Newly appointed Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane kept him alongside other experienced players, including Keagan Dolly, his former Sundowns teammate.
He is on record saying he wants to succeed with Amakhosi this season.
“Every season, I want to win something. I keep working hard for it, individually and with the team,” he said. He had a good game when Chiefs bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday. They beat Maritzburg 3-0, just a few days after stuttering 0-1 away to Royal AM.
“It is looking good. I want to do better than I have ever done before. I always want to improve.”
