CAPE TOWN — Ajax Cape Town’s flying winger Khama Billiat (KB) showed the 50 000-strong crowd at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday and visiting Manchester United what he is all about.
The Zimbabwean international tore into the Red Devils and should have opened the scoring in the first half when his shot from a very favourable position went wide of post.
He jinked inside and out of his markers and looked to create something every time he was on the ball. His only downfall on the day was probably his composure in the final third.
He did make some telling crosses after getting into excellent positions on the flanks, although his own shooting at goal was not at its best.
To his credit though, Billiat addresses the issue around composure in the interview below.
MTN: How has your overall pre-season been progressing? KB: It’s good, the process is going well and we are almost 100% fit. I think this game against Manchester United has given us a good idea of how much more we need to work on.
Not many people know Keagan Dolly who started the game against United and also Travis Graham, who is another product of the Ajax youth system . I’m so happy because I always like new players coming into the team; it brings something to the squad, especially when they know our style having come from the youth.
MTN: What do you know about new signing Bradley Grobler; he is expected to help yourself and Terror Fanteni in the goalscoring department ? KB: Sure! It’s an honour to us to have someone who can score goals.
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He’s a good player and will help us, even when things get tough we now have someone else who can score.
MTN: And veteran defender Matthew Booth has now extended his contract, how important is this for Ajax? KB: It is very important for us as a team because he inspires a lot of players. Personally, he helps inspire me too!
He has come a long way in his career and brings lots of experience and he can score some crucial goals too, so ja, it is a good thing he is with us for longer.
MTN: With a career in Europe being one of your targets, what are your personal ambitions this season? KB: I just want to be more composed and the main thing for me to work on is my final decision on the field.
I must just focus on my performance and everything will happen from there. If I am relaxed on the field then I enjoy myself and play well. And I know that if I am on top of my game, everything else will follow.
MTN: When you look at Bidvest Wits signing so many new players and other PSL sides making some big transfers, do you expect a tough season ahead for Ajax? KB: Every season comes as a tough season. We are learning each and every game we play and each season is always much tougher than the previous one.
We don’t expect any easy tasks because as you say, many players have been moving and teams getting stronger. So we are going to have to work very, very hard again this season.
