Billiat in a class of his own

Amakhosi coach gives thumbs up to star after sterling performances

Khama Billiat at his optimum is the best player in South Africa‚ Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas has said.
Billiat showed more signs of his class with a strong second-half performance in Chiefs’ 3-0 MTN8 quarterfinal win against Free State Stars at FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
Chiefs’ new signing again combined for a goal deep in injury time‚ this time as the finisher‚ with his old Mamelodi Sundowns front partner Leonardo Castro‚ who this time was the provider.
Castro got his second goal in two games in the 48th minute.
The Colombian had headed in Billiat’s free-kick in Chiefs’ 3-1 Absa Premiership defeat against Bidvest Wits at FNB on Wednesday night.
Solinas was asked about the growing influence of the hugely promising Castro and Billiat combination at Amakhosi.
“Thank you very much for this question because you give me the opportunity to talk about Billiat and Castro‚” said Solinas.“For me‚ Billiat is an amazing player‚ a top player.
“In my opinion‚ with no disrespect to other players from other clubs‚ Billiat is the best player in the league.
“The best striker.
“Billiat in my opinion can play in Europe without a problem. This guy is not for this league.
“He could perform in Europe very well‚ comfortably.
“Billiat and Castro – it’s a privilege and an honour for me to coach them.
“And these players make the difference.
“So I am very happy that I have these players in my squad.”
Billiat’s strike was his first for Amakhosi having played three games.
Castro has scored twice in three games this season‚ having scored just three times in all competitions in his first six months for Amakhosi in the second half of last season after signing from Sundowns in January.
The pair formed a part of the “CBD” trio at Downs – of Castro‚ Billiat and Keagan Dolly – who were so influential in the Brazilians’ 2015-16 league title.
Billiat was that season’s PSL Footballer and Player’s Player of the Season.
Meanwhile, Itumeleng Khune will travel to Limpopo with his Kaizer Chiefs team-mates to face Baroka FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night after returning from leave.
Khune sat out Saturday night’s MTN8 quarterfinal encounter against Free State Stars and according to the club’s corporate communications manager Vina Maphosa‚ the goalkeeper was on leave.
Maposa said Khune would be available for selection as Chiefs go in search of their first league win of the new Absa premiership season.
“Yes Itu [Khune] will be available for the Baroka game‚” Maphosa said on Monday.
“All the players are available except for Joseph Malangowane.”
Asked why Khune was not available when Chiefs beat Stars 3-0 at FNB stadium on Saturday evening‚ Maphosa said the shot-stopper “was on leave”.
“The games don’t differ‚” he said.
“The only thing with these games is that they are coming back-to-back and close within each other.
“The approach will be to try to get the first three points and we haven’t recorded a win yet.
“The play will be the same but the mentality will be obvious ... we need the three points. So there’s nothing extraordinary except for the three points.” — Additional reporting by Ofentse Ratsie..

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