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Cape Town - Concerns have been raised about the possibility Khama Billiat may start suffering from burnout as a result of the Mamelodi Sundowns star's taxing workload.
Billiat has had barely any rest since the conclusion of the 2015/16 season due to Sundowns' involvement in the CAF Champions League. The forward was hugely influential in Downs claiming the league title as he scored 12 league goals in 26 appearances.
The 26-year-old has also been in splendid form for the Brazilians in the group stages of the Champions League. Pitso Mosimane's charges have already qualified for the semi-finals of the competition, and Billiat will no doubt be called on to lead the line.
In addition, the player's workload looks set to increase in 2017 as he will likely be selected to play for Zimbabwe at the AFCON in Gabon.
When you take into account that Downs have close to 20 matches to play before the new year, the danger of Billiat burning out is a justifiable concern.
Zimbabwe national team coach Callisto Pasuwa is already taking precautions by not selecting Billiat for the team's upcoming qualifier against Guinea.
He told the Herald Daily, "He has not had any rest to talk about, as you know that Mamelodi Sundowns were reinstated in the CAF Champions League and while other teams were resting they were playing in the mini-league."
Pasuwa added, "Now it would be too much to ask of him to make the long trip to Guinea again just as the Premiership season is starting in South Africa. We need to continuously monitor these players and manage how we use them in order to get the best out of them."
