‘I didnt mind salary cut; a lot was going on’: Billiat finally opens up on Chiefs exit

Zimbabwe national team talisman Khama Billiat has finally spoken about his ‘unexpected’ exit from South African Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs where he was one of the highest paid players in the country.

 

Billiat left Chiefs in August 2023 after deciding against renewing his contract due to an alleged contractual dispute.

 

The Soweto giants are said to have offered Billiat a pay cut of 50 percent and the ex-South Africa’s Soccer Star of the Year in 2016 refused the deal.

 

However, in his interview with Mhlengi Sports on Youtube, the 34-year old said his decision was beyond the pay cut, revealing “I didn’t mind the salary cut”.

 

“I didn’t mind the salary cut, I appreciated it,” he said.

 

The Yadah attacker went on to say he left Chiefs because he felt like the pressure at the club was too much.

 

“Look negotiations always go either way, I felt like it was time for me to move back home. They wanted me to stay, but I don’t think I was mentally strong enough to take another season again,” added Billiat.

 

“With all the injuries I was getting, all the pressure I was getting. It was frustrating. It was frustrating I think because I wanted to play so much and I wanted to contribute so much, but yeah, I would have loved to stay but negotiations did not go well.

 

“I would have stayed, but I just felt like the pressure was too much for me to take, a lot was going on. I was not sure if I would be injury-free had I stayed for another season and also with the social media pressure it was not easy.

 

“I am the only one person, so I couldn’t take so much and it got to a point where most of the time I was not myself even when I was at home because there was so much to deal with.

 

“So yeah, I apologize about what happened during that time of negotiations and salary cut issues, It was just a lot for me.”

 

Billiat is currently in contention for the golden boot award in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) with 12 goals to his name in as many games.

 

He is joint top scorer with Caps United’s William Manondo and Highlanders forward Lynoth Chikuhwa.