Billiat unlikely to be short on motivation

Khama Billiat of mamelodi Sundowns during the 2016 Nedbank Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on April 23, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Khama Billiat of mamelodi Sundowns during the 2016 Nedbank Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on April 23, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Apr 30, 2016

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Johannesurg - Khama Billiat betrays the assassin within him when he talks, with a soft voice that has a hint of nervousness. But he commands authority as the creative spark leading a Mamelodi Sundowns attack who have smashed 47 goals in the PSL this season.

But last week, the Sundowns attack has lacked power and wasn’t forceful enough when they were knocked out of the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup in a space of four days.

This week they also failed to find the back of the net in a goalless draw with Ajax Cape Town at Athlone Stadium in the PSL, a rare occurrence when Sundowns are involved.

The common thread in their last three matches – against AS Vita, Orlando Pirates and Ajax – is that those clubs refused to be bullied by the Brazilians early on. That’s how they’ve operated, hitting their opponents quick and then watching them huff-and-puff as they try to fight their way back with the result all but secured.

Pirates coach Eric Tinkler understood this going into their Nedbank Cup quarter-final against favourites Sundowns, but the Buccaneers stunned them 2-0 after dragging the match into extra-time.

“Sundowns, the whole season, everyone has seen that they’re a formidable team going forward, particularly with the combination of (Keagan) Dolly, Billiat and (Leonardo) Castro,” Tinkler said.

“They’re an extreme threat going forward.

“They start off extremely well. You have to be aware of that. It’s important to start well, make sure that you’re solid defensively, and don’t give those players much time and space with the ball.”

Steve Komphela will look to do just that when his Kaizer Chiefs take on Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld tonight (kickoff 8.15pm) on the back of their first win since February.

Chiefs aren’t swaggering into the match, as they’re still far from the side they were in their 2014-15 title-winning campaign. But they will be more confident after their hard-fought 2-1 win against the University of Pretoria.

Before that, Amakhosi were accustomed to having their hearts broken at the death – drawing matches they should have won and losing those they should have drawn by slipping up in the last 10 minutes.

The Glamour Boys, though, have managed to contain Sundowns this season, as Pitso Mosimane’s men returned home from FNB Stadium in January without hitting the back of the net.

Tonight, Sundowns will be driven to avoid slipping up again in the league as their lead over second-placed Wits has been cut from six points to four. By the time they walk out at Loftus tonight, that lead could be just a point if the Students triumph in Milpark against an inconsistent Chippa United side.

So, this will be Sundowns’ biggest mental test to see if they can remain calm in the final stretch of the season.

Odds-on favourite for the Footballer of the Year award, Billiat has been successful in keeping his cool this season and his conversion-rate continues to improve.

He will also not be short on motivation, coming up against a Chiefs side who were advised to sign him and Knowledge Musona at Aces Youth Soccer Academy.

But Chiefs signed only Musona, and Billiat joined Sundowns from Ajax three years ago. It’s a decision that could haunt Amakhosi, especially as they lack the creative spark that a Billiat offers, and which has helped the Brazilians move closer to a record seventh PSL title.

Saturday Star

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