Zimbabwe winger Khama Billiat has officially announced his retirement from international football.
The 31-year-old, who currently plies his club trade with South African side Kaizer Chiefs, has featured for the Warriors for 11 years.
Billiat, who was capped more than 50 times, featured for Zimbabwe at the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
“It was all a dream. When I was young, I always dreamt of representing the country, playing for the national team,” Billiat said in a statement on Monday. “The dream which seemed far-fetched for a young Khama in Mufakose came when I least expected it.
“The first day I donned the Warriors badge, I vowed to enjoy myself and always lift the country’s spirits. Scoring a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations finals is one moment I still relive in my mind even up to date.
“It is one of the special moments I have experienced wearing the coveted yellow jersey. The feeling of scoring in a packed stadium for your nation is inexplicable.
“I have met so many teammates, coached at the national team and I appreciate every relationship I have built along the way. By playing for the Warriors, I have improved immensely as a player [and] it is an opportunity I will forever cherish.
“However, every story no matter how beautiful has an ending. This is probably the heaviest decision I have ever had to take in my life, but it is a decision I make with a patriotic heart.
“Like those who had to pave way for our generation of Warriors stars to emerge, I have decided to retire from international football. I believe it is now time for me to pave way for new talent to blossom and serve the country in the same way that I did, or even better.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I will forever be indebted to those who took chance on me and moulded me into the international player I grew to become. Thank you, Zimbabwe for supporting me and my teammates, for showing love with each outing. God bless you.”[/perfectpullquote]
The skillful attacking winger, started his club football with local club CAPS United before moving to South Africa where he joined Ajax Cape Town.
In 2013, Billiat moved to Mamelodi Sundowns where he was named as the Premier Soccer League’s Footballer and Player’s Player of the Season when Sundowns won the Absa Premiership in 2015-16.
He left the Brazilians in 2018 and joined their Premier Soccer League rivals Kaizer Chiefs in one of the biggest transfer coups of the preseason.
