Brilliant Billiat Leads Chiefs To Big Confed Cup Win

99 Nov 28, 2018 - 09:28 pm

By Soccer Laduma

CAF Champions League

Result: Kaizer Chiefs (Billiat 7' 60' 73', Mahlasela 68') 4-0 Zimamoto

Date: 28 November 2018

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Khama Billiat rediscovered his scoring boots after netting a hat-trick in Kaizer Chiefs' 4-0 win over Zimamoto in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie.

Giovanni Solinas rang the changes for the clash as Virgil Vries came in for Itumeleng Khune while Daniel Cardoso and Erick Mathoho earned re-calls to the defence.

The Soweto giants were in need of a confidence booster after suffering a Telkom Knockout exit at the hands of rivals Orlando Pirates.

That's exactly what the home side got as Khama Billiat put Chiefs ahead after seven minutes with an impressive free-kick to end his drought in front of goal.

Andriamirado 'Dax' Andrianarimanana earned a re-call to the Chiefs line-up and he was combining well with the likes of Kabelo Mahlasela as Chiefs dominated the opening 20 minutes.

Billiat thought he had completed his brace on 34 minutes with a close range but the Zimbabwean's effort was ruled out after a foul on the goalkeeper

Nevertheless, Chiefs managed to dominate for the remainder of the first half but they were unable to add to their lead before the break.

Solinas opted for his first change after 53 minutes as Andrianarimanana made way for Hendrick Ekstein.

Seven minutes later, the lead was doubled as Billiat completed his brace with a strike from the edge of the box to put Chiefs in a commanding lead.

Chiefs did not have to wait long for another goal as Bernard Parker did well to pick out Mahlasela, who curled the ball towards the far post for his first goal of the season.

It got better for Chiefs and more specifically for Billiat after the home side were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute.

The Zimbabwean took responsibility and slotted home the penalty to complete his hat-trick.

The remaining stages of the second half proved to be an easy affair the Soweto giants as the visitors failed to mount any serious attempts at goal.

Solinas' men will now take a commanding 4-0 lead into the second leg next week.

Here's how they lined up:

Chiefs: Vries, Cardoso, Mathoho, Hadebe, Ntiya-Ntiya, Katsande, Manyama, Andrianarimanana (Ekstein 53'), Mahlasela, Billiat (Zuma 76'), Castro (Parker 68').

Subs: Bvuma, Ngezana, Zulu, Zuma, Parker, Maluleka, Ekstein.