Abel Ndooka
Zimpapers Sports Hub
KHAMA Billiat has denied social media reports that he bagged US$45 000 to join Scottland.
Billiat was unveiled as a Scottland player on New Year’s Day as the club officially embarked on a squad building exercise to come up with a side that can compete for, at least, a top four finish.
Scottland have so far secured US2,5 million for the 2025 campaign from two main sponsors, Sakunda Holdings and IMC Communications, making them the best sponsored team in the Premiership, at least for now.
One of the social media claims was that Billiat was handed US$45 000 cash for his signature at the conclusion of his one-year contract at Yadah.
However, Billiat has dismissed the claims as baseless and an exaggeration of his contract.
In an exclusive interview with the Zimpapers Sports Hub, Billiat said while he will not reveal the financial terms of his contract, it is unfair to both the club and himself that people deliberately mislead the world on his salary.
“I am not at liberty to divulge the financial terms of my contract with Scottland, but I need to clarify that the US$45 000 figure circulating on social media is baseless. My deal is nowhere near that.
“Ordinarily I would have ignored the reports but it creates problems. It puts my life in danger because people will be made to believe that I have such amounts of money, and they (criminals) can target me,” said Billiat.
Apart from Billiat, Scottland are expected to unveil a star-studded squad that includes reigning Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year, Walter Musona and first-runner up, Lynoth Chikuhwa who is also the reigning topscorer.
They had already unveiled former CAPS United midfielder, Kingsley Mureremba and are also being linked with Soccer Star of the Year finalists, Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora) and Godknows Murwira (CAPS United).
This gives Scottland SIX of the 2024 Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year while the number goes up to seven when adding reigning Coach of the Year, Tonderai Ndiraya whose move from Simba Bhora is all but official.
It is with these high-profile acquisitions in mind that Billiat and, to some extent, the club feels that reports of a US$45 000 sign-on fee for the former Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs star can upset their squad, especially those whose contracts are still being prepared.
“There is no doubt that there is a lot of interest in what is happening at Scottland but at the same time it is unprofessional to create hype using false information that then puts me at risk over money that I do not have.
“It is quite disturbing that someone finds it okay to just come up with a ridiculous figure and run with it on social media without reflecting on what it does, especially to me,” added Billiat.
Earlier, Billiat expressed his deepest gratitude to Prophet Walter Magaya, Yadah Football Club, and the entire community for their unwavering love and support during his tenure with the club when he had seemed done with playing football.
Online Reporter
