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Billiat Names Bafana Legend As Toughest Ever Opponent

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs forward Khama Billiat says Tsepo Masilela was his hardest opponent in over a decade in the Premier Soccer League.

Billiat, 34, left Chiefs and joined Yadah FC in the Zimbabwean top-flight, which took many by surprise as he looked for a fresh start to his career.

And it’s done exactly that as he’s among the favourites for the Football of the Season in his home country and his form earned him a recall to the national team, where he’s made a u-turn on his international retirement.

While he won every trophy on offer in South Africa, the PSL Footballer of the Season, Champions League and CAF Super Cup, he admits there was one challenge that used to make him ‘stress’ even before the game started.

“Truly, to be honest, it was Tsepo Masilela. I think so. He was playing for Chiefs. I would stress the day before. I don’t know why, for me. I was always struggling, playing against him,” he told iDiski Times.

“Even until today, I always wanted to ask myself, ‘What was so difficult?’ Why? I don’t know if there’s a game or games whereby I would say I enjoyed, it was always difficult.

“He was tough, and his positioning was just amazing. He was strong. I was always like sore. In the air, he was good. So for me, I would say he’s one of the players that comes to my head.”

Tsepo Masilela of Kaizer Chiefs during the MTN8 Semi Final Second Leg match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on the 24 August 2013 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto ©Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

The Witbank-born left back who has since retired was arguably one of the finest in his position during his generation and played for Hellenic, Benoni Premier United, Maccabi Haifa, Getafe, Chiefs and AmaZulu in his 19-yearlong professional career.

Having won his first cap whilst still in the National First Division, Masilela featured over 50 times for Bafana Bafana and featured at three AFCONS, the Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

You can still read Billiat’s full interview with Lorenz Kohler in the current edition of the iDiski Times digi-paper. He reveals why he really left Chiefs, why he joined a church team, returning to the Warriors squad and working under Pitso Mosimane.

Lorenz Kohler
Lorenz Kohler
Lorenz Köhler is an award-winning South African football journalist. Having cut his teeth in the industry working at Kick-Off Magazine, he is now iDiski Times' senior digital content writer. He specialises in breaking top African football stories and transfers with a major focus on the 'big-three' Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates and CAF inter-club and international competitions. In 2021 he was listed amongst the top-five journalists under 30 in Print Media for the AIPS Awards.
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