Injured Billiat wants to play against Congo

The Kaizer Chiefs winger missed Zimbabwe’s 2019 Afcon qualifying opening match through injury and he wants to avoid the same fate for Sunday’s tie

Khama Billiat is insisting on travelling to Congo Brazzaville for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier despite being a major fitness concern.

Billiat injured his hamstring during Kaizer Chiefs’ MTN8 Cup semifinal clash against SuperSport United last Saturday, although he actually lasted the entire match.

With the Warriors squad already injury-plagued, Billiat’s fitness has become the biggest concern in the Zimbabwe camp.

“We are managing him,” Warriors team manager Wellington Mupandare told Goal.

“He said he wants to go (to Congo) but we will first have to do some (fitness) tests on him. Our doctors will have a look at him. He is willing to play but it is a bit tricky if he is injured, we can’t force it.”

Club Brugge midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, Sparta Prague defender Costa Nhamoinesu and winger Ovidy Karuru of AmaZulu are the key Zimbabwe players already injured.

To compound the woes facing Zimbabwe coach Sunday Chidzambwa, the England-born duo of Nottingham Forest right-back Tendayi Darikwa and Bradford City left-back Adam Chicksen have failed to secure Zimbabwean passports.

“It is up to the responsible authorities to help or not, but as far as this game is concerned they are not part of it. We still hope they will get the passports. Maybe they will be there for the DRC game," Mupandare said.

Zimbabwean laws are complicated on dual citizenship. Chidzambwa and his men will be looking to maintain their Group G top spot after thumping Liberia 3-0 in their opening match at home in June last year.