New Warriors coach speaks on Khama Billiat return

By Kick Off

Zimbabwe’s new head coach Michael Nees has now revealed his position on the possibility of Khama Billiat returning to the national team.

In November 2021, Billiat announced his retirement from international football at the age of 31.

The announcement came just a few months before the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, which was staged in Cameroon in January and February 2022.

Having begun playing for his country in 2011, the attacker went on to represent his nation 45 times before he hung up his boots three years ago.

However, following his glowing form for Yadah, for whom he has already scored nine league goals, the now-33-year-old could have another shot at international football.

Nees, a former education officer at SAFA, arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday to start his new job. He was initially expected to land in the country earlier, but paperwork issues delayed his arrival.

The German was later unveiled in front of the press by the Zimbabwe Football Association, marking the start of his tenure that will until June 2026

With Billiat having previously been in contention to return to the Warriors set-up in the lead-up to the previous international break, Nees was asked about the possibility of sanctioning the winger’s return to international football.

“I worked in South Africa for four years and I know the kind of impact some players had, and Khama Billiat made big influence there, there is no doubt,” Nees said, according to Soccer24.

“He came back home and it looks like he is on what I can say a second honeymoon.

“He is among the leading goal-scorers in the league, and let’s wait and see what we can do [about persuading him to return to the Warriors fold].”

Nees’ first assignment will be two 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Kenya and Cameroon on 4 and 10 September, respectively.