Khama Billiat Considering A Return To International Football Ahead Of The COSAFA Cup
Khama Billiat is considering coming out of international retirement and making himself available for Zimbabwe Warriors ahead of the 2024 COSAFA Cup to be held in South Africa from June 26 to July 7th.
The 33-year-old Yadah’s in form attacking midfielder called time off on his international career in 2023 after a 1-all draw against Ethiopia in the 2022 FIFA world cup qualifiers
However, the deminutive winger is considering a return ahead of the COSAFA Cup after approached by the interim coach Jairos Tapera to help the team.
According to a Sunday mail report, Manica Diamonds gaffer had a brief chat with Billiat at the end of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between Yadah and Manica Diamonds at the Heart stadium on Saturday where the attacking midfielder scored in the 63rd minutes to rescue a point for Yadah, but the former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns star did not immediately respond to the coach’s exaltation as he would need to make further consultations.
Ever since Tapera was appointed Warriors caretaker coach, he has been in relentless pursuit of convincing Billiat to come out of retirement and the upcoming COSAFA Cup tournament could be a good opportunity to introduce the attacking midfielder back into the Warriors fold ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers starting in September.
“Billiat is doing wonders at Yadah and that is very difficult to ignore. He still has what it takes to serve the national team,” Tapera once told the media soon after his appointment as interim coach.
The former Warriors star could have marked his return in the previous two World cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa had Tapera been given enough time to prepare.
Nevertheless, Tapera is due to announce an enlarged preliminary squad for COSAFA Cup that he will later trim down to 23 before the team depart for South Africa and Billiat is expected to be an integral part of the team .