BY HENRY MHARA FORMER Warriors midfielder Khama Billiat has said the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspension of the legitimate Zimbabwe Football Association board is destroying the careers of local footballers.
SRC, the local sports regulator suspended the Felton Kamambo led Zifa executive board last year over unsubstantiated allegations that include misappropriation of public funds.
Fifa has refused to endorse the suspension, and as a consequence, Zimbabwe was banned from participating in international football.
SRC has since reinstated some members of the Zifa executive board minus Kamambo and two others.
However, Fifa is adamant that Kamambo should be reinstated for the ban to be lifted.
The world football governing body has said they will not recognise the new Zifa board led by Gift Banda.
Billiat, who plays in the South African premier league with Kaizer Chiefs, says the country’s ban from international football had a negative impact on local players, many of them who harbour dreams of playing abroad.
For the first time in a long time, there were no local players who crossed the Limpopo to join any South African club during the transfer window which closed last week.
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“There are a number of good players who need to play in the national team to get exposure,” the forward told the South African media.
“So It’s not a nice thing to have good players who deserve to be playing in bigger leagues but because of the exposure they are limited,” he added.
Billiat is one of the players who moved to South Africa at a young age and went on to make a name for himself.
Before joining Kaizer Chiefs, he played for Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town.
While he enjoyed massive success at Sundowns, things have not been so smooth at Chiefs as he has yet to help the team win any silverware. But it is something he hopes they can get right this season.
“Every season I want to win something. I keep working hard for it, individually and with the team,” he said.
The Glamour Boys lost their opening match of the season but recovered on Tuesday night by beating Maritzburg United 3-0 with the Warriors providing two assists.
“It is looking good. I want to do better than I have ever done before. I always want to improve.”
Billiat retired from international football early this year. He said he took the decision to focus on his club football.
“It always makes it easier. You spend less time travelling (for national team duty) and give you more time to rest and recover. You now left only with the club to focus on, and it helps.
“It was time for me to give other players a chance in the national team,” Biliat said.
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