Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Khama Billiat is upbeat ahead of Chiefs’ DStv Premiership clash this coming Saturday against Premier Soccer League newcomers Royal AM.

Billiat, whose season in 2020-21 was hampered by injuries has been influential for Chiefs so far this campaign. He will be hoping to stamp his authority on the game with a match-winning performance against Royal AM.

Commenting on Chiefs’ start to the season which has seen them win one game, draw one game and lose one game Billiat says: “We would have wanted to start very strong, but it is not bad. We are still positive and are seeing good things in terms of movement and commitment. The energy around the team is great.”

The Zimbabwean international playmaker is buoyed by the fact that his teammates are not slouching around in training and believes the hard work they are putting in will bear fruit this weekend, “we are looking good in training and we need to bring it to the game. Before adding on about the fact that Chiefs are managing to create good goal scoring opportunities, “we need to take the chances that the team is creating. It is amazing to be in a team that creates a lot of chances, it gives you more opportunities to be on the score sheet and help the team in the best way that you can”.

Chiefs created a myriad of chances against Sundowns in their loss last weekend and Billiat feels that this is a good sign for the team.

“I think it’s a positive indication that we are getting there,” adds the Zimbabwean marksman. “We are working on taking the chances we are creating, which will help the team get the maximum points. We are working on it every day. We are looking good and are feeling good for the game.”

Billiat who has featured in four of Chiefs’ games this campaign in all competitions and has scored two goals says they are ready to face the Durban-based side.

“It’s always risky to play a team labelled as a small team,” he admits. “There is no longer a small team in the league as every game we play is a tough game and a must-win game for us. The results are not always the way people predict, it’s tougher now but it can only make us better to find a way to overcome all of those tough opponents.”

While Royal AM’s topflight credentials might be questioned, Billiat is not taking them lightly.

“With all the respect, being new in the league does not mean you are new to winning games,” adds Billiat. “They have been winning games from where they come from in the past. They are a good side and all we need to do is to be on top of our game on the day. We are looking at ourselves and trying to get as many good things as we can take to the game and make sure we convert the chances.”

Billiat is also missing the fans in the stadium and is hoping to have them back soon.

“It has been crazy without their presence in the stadium. We miss them a lot and we are looking forward to having them back in the stadium. We are getting all of their messages, we feel them and all we want to do is make them happy,” he says in conclusion.

Billiat has featured in all three Chiefs’ league games this season. He has played 245 topflight league matches in the DStv Premiership, 63 of those for Chiefs. He will be looking to feature prominently for Amakhosi this season. Last season he played in Chiefs’ first nine league games before a horror tackle by Maritzburg United’s Travis Graham in a league game on 9 January 2021 which sidelined him for a big part of the campaign.

Saturday’s game will kick off at 17:00 at FNB Stadium. No fans will be allowed in the stadium and the game will be live on the DStv PSL Channel 202.