Kaizer Chiefs fans have been a frustrated bunch for many reasons, and one of those has had a lot to do with star player Khama Billiat.
The Zimbabwean international arrived on a free transfer after not signing a new contract with rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018.
Hunt aims to be the man to get Khama Billiat firing
His arrival at Naturena came with a lot of expectation, which he looked like delivering on during his first season at the club, where he finished as the club’s top scorer – albeit with modest returns – in what was a wretched season for the Glamour Boys.
Having worked under two coaches in Chiefs colours, the latest to attempt to get the best out of Billiat is four-time league winner Gavin Hunt.
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s must-win Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates, the former Bidvest Wits mentor ruled out giving the 30-year-old a bit of a break from the starting line-up.
“What we can’t do at the moment is leave him out and give him a little bit of a break because of our situation, so we’ve got to try and play him through this patch and get him to be in the right areas and do the right things,” Hunt said.
“Certainly, you can do all the talking you want – and we have spoken on numerous occasions, trying to give him a little bit more understanding of where to be when the ball is in certain areas – but it’s got to be a little self-instinct as well about wanting to do it.
“And sometimes the ball will come off your knee or your shin or your ankle, if you work harder, those things happen and you just need to break the ice a little bit, I think.
“He certainly needs to [break the ice]. In the five games I’ve been here he’s had some unbelievable chances – he should have taken one or two by now – but as long as he keeps getting into those areas, that’s the most important thing.
“Talking, showing and doing, all these types of things [can be done], but the most important is to get out on the pitch and go and get through it. He’s got all my support, I’m right behind him and he has to get through it, that’s for sure.”
Gavin Hunt
Now in his third season at Chiefs, Billiat has managed just 14 goals and as many assists across competitions.
He has a chance to better that tally against Pirates in the home leg of the MTN 8 semifinals on Sunday at 15:30 (SAST).
