Zimbabwean forward Khama Billiat explains Mamelodi Sundowns exit and Kaizer Chiefs move

Zimbabwean forward Khama Billiat has provided a detailed account of the circumstances that led to his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns and his subsequent switch to Kaizer Chiefs, shedding light on a drawn-out contract dispute that ultimately pushed him out of the Tshwane giants.

Billiat, who first arrived in South Africa in 2010 with Ajax Cape Town from CAPS United, went on to establish himself as one of the Premier Soccer League’s standout attackers.

His most successful spell came at Sundowns between 2013 and 2018, where he collected multiple domestic and continental honours, including the CAF Champions League.

After five glittering years with the Brazilians, the 35-year-old eventually joined Chiefs in a high-profile transfer that divided opinion across South African football.

He is now on the books of Scottland FC in Zimbabwe.

Speaking on the Off the Pitch Chat YouTube channel, Billiat insisted he had initially wanted to stay at Sundowns, but negotiations over a new deal became increasingly complicated.

“I did not want to leave, honestly, and the club did not want me to leave as well, but the negotiations just went long and long,” he said.

He described the process as draining and increasingly tense, with disagreements over contractual terms escalating to higher levels within the club structure.

“And going back and forth about money and other things is not healthy. It got to a point where the president became involved and people were fighting,” he explained.

Billiat added that differing internal opinions at Sundowns further complicated the situation, leaving him uncertain about his future at the club.

“There are some people that want me to stay and want me to get the package we were negotiating for, but there are others that don’t want me to get that package but still want me to stay.”

The Zimbabwe international said he ultimately began to reconsider his position as discussions dragged on without resolution.

“It wasn’t healthy for me to stay after all. But yeah, that’s football, it happens. I had to leave,” he said.

Although he admitted an agreement was eventually reached, Billiat revealed he had already started to distance himself from the idea of staying.

“At the end, we got to reach an understanding, but I pulled back afterwards because I felt like it was just going to be… you never know what happens, it is football,” he added.

He further explained that allowing his contract to run down was a consequence of the prolonged talks, which eventually influenced his decision to move on.

“Even afterwards, I could still get the contract, but now I’m like, if it takes this long and at the end they give it after so much fight, you don’t really know what happens with the player.”

Reflecting on the episode, Billiat said he felt it was best for his career to seek a fresh start rather than remain in an environment that had become increasingly strained.

“Afterwards, I showed them that what we were fighting for and what I’m getting offered right now, we could have finished the deal earlier. At that point, I didn’t think I was doing justice to myself by staying.”