Publications
Partners
Cape Town - As he gets set for Saturday's CAF Champions League final and next year's AFCON finals, Zimbabwean winger Khama Billiat has paid tribute to the influence Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has had on his career.
Billiat has been one of the Premiership's top performers over the past three seasons and was crowned as the Premiership Footballer of the Season last term.
His goals helped propel Sundowns to the league title last season, as well as to the 2016 Champions League final where the Brazilians are set to host Zamalek in the first-leg in Pretoria on Saturday.
Now into his fourth season at Sundowns, the former Ajax Cape Town and Chicken Inn forwards says it's Mosimane that has helped him fulfill his potential.
"He has made me look at football in a different light," Billiat said as quoted by The Star.
"When I joined Sundowns, I didn't look at football the way I do now. But he [Mosimane] made sure that he talks to the players in a way that we share the same vision.
"I never believed in watching our games. I just played football, went home afterwards and the following day would look at the next game.
"But now, I don't even have to be told to watch my game. It comes naturally because that's where I learn to get better as a player. It has made a huge difference in my game."
Billiat also paid his respects to former club Ajax, but says it's Sundowns that helped him take his game to the next level.
"At Ajax they made me a better person. I got to know the PSL teams and how I should approach the game.
"They helped me understand the basics. But when I came to Sundowns, it was trophies, trophies and more trophies. Everything is about winning. I play with the best players, it brings the best out of you," he said.
He is now determined to help Sundowns win the Champions League and is also looking forward to testing himself at international level on the continental stage.
"I have never dreamt about this before, it seemed too far-fetched. But now that it's happening, I need to appreciate it.
"I plan to enjoy playing in the Africa Cup of Nations and to make sure that we win the Champions League. That would bring me more joy than us being there because it means nothing reaching the final and not winning it," he added.
Kick-off is at 17:00.
