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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp was full of praise for Khama Billiat following the Zimbabwean 's performance in an Absa Premiership clash against Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
The Chiefs coach and forward were seemingly at loggerheads after the player featured for his national team during the last international break, a decision MIddendorp was unhappy about.
Having publicly criticised Billiat previously, Middendorp singled the former Mamelodi Sundowns man out for praise for the role he played in the Chiefs’ 2-0 victory over Arrows at FNB Stadium.
The 29-year-old won the penalty, which Daniel Cardoso converted, and it was his header which crashed into the upright before Nkosinathi Sibisi bundled it into his own goal.
"Khama Billiat contributed to the team performance in terms of his transition from attack to defence," Middendorp said in a post-match press conference.
"This is a process, and this is something where he not only earned the man of the match award but, in my opinion, he's close to being 10 out of 10.
"This is something where we really have to mention it, we always say, 'Ay, okay, no, leave him just for [attacking] – no, if you really want to challenge and be successful, you need each and every player in your attack and defending.
"This is so much going on at the moment, not only with the players we see on the field but also with the players on the training ground at the moment.
Chiefs next face Sundowns in a league clash on October 27 at Loftus Versveld.
Kick-off is at 15:30.
