Billiat talks still deadlocked over Sundowns future

Khama Billiat celebrates after scoring in a Premiership match. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Khama Billiat celebrates after scoring in a Premiership match. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Published Jan 21, 2018

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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he is no longer involved in contract negotiations to try and hold on to striker Khama Billiat.

The club’s two-goal hero in their Absa Premiership 3-0 win over hapless Platinum Stars on Saturday night is apparently still deadlocked in talks over his future, but Mosimane insisted he had washed his hands off the matter.

“It’s not in my hands,” the coach said. “I think when you ask Arsene Wenger (Arsenal manager) also he will tell you with this whole (Alexis) Sanchez and (Mesut) Ozil situation (contracts running out at the end of the season). It’s like that for me also. But what is important is for us to have back up. We love him. If he stays it’s okay.”

Billiat is said to be pushing for an improved offer after being enticed by several clubs in the domestic league as well as a few abroad, although it looks unlikely that he will play outside of South Africa.

His contract expires at the end of the season and he had missed seven league matches because of a knee injury before returning on Saturday to score two well-taken free kicks.

“It is up to his agent and the board of Sundowns,” Mosimane explained. “The contract discussions are still happening with the board and his agent. My job is to do what I am doing here – to make sure the team keeps going and staying on top of the log. The rest I am no longer part of that.”

Club president Patrice Motsepe suggested last week that Billiat wanted a salary package that would destabilise the harmony in the dressing room if his teammates were to find out how much he was earning should he be given a new deal. 

Given his contribution to the team, it looks likely that Mosimane will continue playing Billiat until he is no longer at the club, and the fact that he was back in the starting line-up on Saturday means he might not be leaving in this January transfer window.  

@superjourno

IOL Sport

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