Billiat quits international football

By Geronimo News

Warriors talisman Khama Billiat has announced his retirement from international football saying he has run his race and it is time for him to pave way for fresh talent.

Billiat captained Zimbabwe in their last two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and Ethiopia at the National Sports Stadium in Harare last Sunday, and those matches were his last should he maintain his stance.

“It was all a dream, when I was young I always dreamt of representing the country, playing for the national team. The dream, which seemed far-fetched for a young Khama in Mufakose came when I least expected it. The first day I donned the Warriors badge, I vowed to enjoy myself and always lift the country’s spirits. However, every story, no matter how beautiful, has an ending,” said Billiat in a statement posted on his Twitter page.

The Kaizer Chiefs man went onto say the decision is probably the heaviest he has ever had to take in his life but it is something that he takes with a patriotic heart.

“Like those who had to pave way for our generation of Warriors stars to emerge I have decided to retire from international football,” he said.

The Mufakose-born star spent 10 years offering his services for the country and during such a time he has grown to become one of the most prominent and consistent players ever to represent Zimbabwe.

The 31-year-old forward whose senior debut came in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mali on 26 March 2011 made 43 appearances and scored 17 goals for the Warriors.

He also represented the Zimbabwe national team at the 2017 and 2019 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon and Egypt respectively.

Billiat’s retirement from international football has, however, come as a shock to many and was least expected as the Warriors are set to take part at the 2021 AFCON finals pencilled for Cameroon in January next year.