Former Kaizer Chiefs star Khama Billiat was criticised for making a wrong career move after he allegedly rejected a salary cut offer, following expiry of his contract. The Zimbabwean has now revealed what was going on behind the scenes...
Billiat briefly reported back for pre-season check-ups at Chiefs in preparations for the 2023/24 season, despite not yet agreeing on terms with management over a contract extension, after his deal expired at the end of June 2023.
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He, however, disappeared for a long period during off-season, with the club stating they did not know of his whereabouts.
Free to join a team of his choice, Billiat was linked with clubs in the Middle East, as well as Cape Town City and SuperSport United, but nothing came out of all those links.
As a result, he stayed six to seven months without a home, before finally going back to Zimbabwean and signing for Yadah FC in February.
The 34-year-old, who has set the Zimbabwean PSL alight as one of the leading goal-scorers, has revealed he did not extend his contract with the Soweto giants due to all the pressure he was getting, with allegations he was the highest-paid player and yet not living up to expectations.
"You know how negotiations go, either way. I feel like it was time for me to move back home. They [Chiefs] wanted me to stay, but I don't think I was mentally strong to take another season again, with all the injuries I was getting, all the pressure. It was frustrating," Billiat said on MhlengiSports YouTube Channel.
"I want to play so much, contribute so much, but I was getting so many injuries. I would've loved to stay. I didn't mind the salary cut, I appreciate. I would have stayed, but I just felt like it was too much for me to take, there was a lot going on.
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"Give them another season, when I was not sure whether I'm fit enough or get another injury after signing another contract, social media going crazy. I'm only a person who can take up to so much. It got to a point where most of the time I was not myself, even at home, because there was so much and I felt I needed to contribute to the team. It was a lot for me," he revealed.
Billiat's new lease of life at Yadah has also seen him get out of international football retirement for Zimbabwe, helping them to back-to-back wins over Namibia in recent AFCON qualifiers.