Raymond Jaravaza
KHAMA Billiat says it still feels like a dream that he has been named alongside 10 other great players who mesmerised football fans in Africa – and even beyond – for a decade.
The Kaizer Chiefs man was recently named in the Confederation of African Football Champions League Team of the Decade.
The period covers the decade between 2010 and 2020.
Billiat’s most notable performances were for former club Mamelodi Sundowns, the team that gave him continental glory.
At Sundowns – where he also spent five years – Billiat smashed 47 goals plus 43 assists in 140 appearances.
That meant he had a goal or an assist in every 1,56 appearances that he made for The Brazilians, where he won seven trophies including the CAF Champions League.
In his best season at Sundowns, he scored 15 and had 17 assists.
In a brief response to B-Metro Sport, the former Warriors star said: “It’s a great feeling to be named amongst the best in Africa. It still feels like a dream.”
Billiat left Masandawana and joined Kaizer Chiefs in August 2018.
Here is a look at other African players who made the CAF Team of the Decade.
Al Ahly veteran and former Egypt international Walid Soliman is a household name in African football.
The 37-year-old is a fan favourite at Al Ahly, having joined the Reds in August 2011.
During his time at Al Ahly, Soliman lifted six league titles, four Champions Leagues, three CAF Super Cups, one CAF Confederation Cup, two Egypt Cups, and five Egypt Super Cups.
Aside from the 21 trophies, Soliman clinched two Club World Cup bronze medals.
Egyptian international Ahmed Fathi is yet another player not new to winning major trophies.
Fathi had made his debut for Egypt back in 2002 and has 133 caps so far, representing the Pharaohs in five African Nations Cup finals, the 2009 Confederation Cup, and the 2018 World Cup.
Tunisian defender Ali Maâloul also made the list.
Maâloul has been at Al Ahly since July of 2016 and has won four Egyptian Premier League titles as well as two CAF Champions League conquests.
Across the continent in Southern Africa, Stoppila Sunzu, a Zambian international also made the cut.
He plays club football in China for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright and is best remembered for taking the winning penalty kick for Zambia in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final.
CAF Champions League Team of The Decade:
Goalkeeper:
Dennis Onyango (Uganda)
Defenders:
Ahmed Fathi (Egypt), Wael Gomaa (Egypt), Stopilia Sunzu (Zambia), Ali Maaloul (Tunisia).
Midfielders:
Hossam Ashour (Egypt), Hossam Ghaly (Egypt)
Forwards
Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe) Walid Soliman (Egypt), Percy Tau (South Africa), Mbwana Samatta (Tanzania)
