Khama Billiat reveals ‘toxic’ situation that made him dump Sundowns for Chiefs

Zimbabwean star Khama Billiat has shed light on the circumstances surrounding his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns, a move that saw him join rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a high-profile transfer.

Billiat first made his mark in South Africa with Ajax Cape Town in 2010 after arriving from CAPS United.

He later enjoyed a decorated five-year spell with Sundowns from 2013 to 2018, where he secured numerous major trophies. His subsequent move to the Soweto giants sparked considerable debate among football fans.

Now playing for Yadah Stars in his home country, the 33-year-old attacker revealed that drawn-out and contentious contract talks ultimately forced his hand.

Billiat on ‘unhealthy’ contract talks

“I did not want to leave, honestly, and the club did not want me to leave as well, but the negotiations just went on and on,” Billiat explained on the Off the Pitch Chat as per KickOff.

“Going back and forth about money and other things is not healthy,” he shared. “It got to a point where the president became involved and people were fighting.”

Billiat described the environment as increasingly “toxic,” with conflicting opinions within the club about his value and contract demands.

“It was starting to get a little toxic. There were some people who wanted me to stay and get the package we were negotiating for, but others didn’t want me to get that package, even though they wanted me to stay.”

Zimbabwean star wanted extended stay?

The Zimbabwean international stated that after weighing his demands against the offers on the table, he concluded that leaving was the best option for his well-being.

“It wasn’t healthy for me to stay after all. But that’s football; it happens. I had to leave,” he added.

Billiat disclosed that even after an agreement was eventually reached, the difficult negotiation process had soured his desire to remain at the club.

Why he chose Chiefs offer over Sundowns’

“In the end, we reached an understanding, but I pulled back afterwards because I felt like it would just be a case of ‘show us what you’ve got’,” he said. “You never know what happens; it is football.”

The CAF Champions League winner felt the immense pressure and scrutiny would have made his continued stay untenable, especially since the talks had dragged on until his contract expired.

“Even after my contract finished, I could still have signed the new deal,” Billiat noted. “But I thought, if it takes this long and they only give it to me after so much fighting, you don’t really know what happens with the player.”

“I showed them what we were fighting for versus what I was being offered elsewhere. It felt like we could have finished the deal much earlier. With what I was seeing, I didn’t think I would be doing justice to myself if I stayed.”