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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
KHAMA Billiat was given a standing ovation at Rufaro yesterday as the country’s football fans saluted their little genius for flying the country’s flag high in South Africa where he scooped all the big awards at a gala in Johannesburg on Monday night.

The Warriors’ star won the South African Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Midfielder of the Season awards after a landmark season in which he inspired his club Mamelodi Sundowns to the league championship.

The 25-year-old arrived at Rufaro to find a home crowd brimming with pride for his achievements in South Africa and he was given a standing ovation before being mobbed after the international friendly against Uganda.

Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa was forced to give Billiat a cameo run, with the fans screaming for him to be thrown into the fray, and the forward didn’t disappoint with the highlight of his dance being a superb control of a high ball that had the fans on their feet.

Uganda coach Micho paid tribute to Billiat, and his goalkeeper Denis Onyango who was voted Absa Goalkeeper of the Year, for their exploits.

“First of all I want to congratulate two ambassadors of Zimbabwean and Ugandan football Khama Billiat and Denis Onyango upon representing both countries in the (South Africa) PSL and the awards they got,” said Micho.

Billiat’s family and friends were yesterday basking in the glory of his achievements where he scooped R450 000. Unfortunately, his wife and daughter Kimberly were not at the Emperors Palace when he was honoured. Khama’s wife lost her phone at a saloon preparing for the big night and decided to remain home in Pretoria.

His mother Rosa, father Mustafa and his friends, all watched the function live on Supersport 4 in the Billiat family home’s lounge in Sikavakadzi Street, Mufakose, Harare.

Just a stone throw away from Sikavakadzi Street is Mubvamaropa Street where Khama grew up and his cousin Kuda and other childhood friends were also watching the party. Khama’s father had only arrived on Monday from South Africa after deciding he would watch the awards from home.

Khama’s parents said they will host a party for their son at home after the national team commitments this weekend.

His mother was just shedding tears of joy.

His father’s best friend Makani Mubvurwi said six months ago he told Khama’s father that the boy would win the best player in the South Africa Premiership.

Makani said it would have been an icing on the cake for Billiat to win Zimbabwe’s Sportsperson of the Year.

However, another friend of the Billiat family, Archmore Marambire, interjected and reminded his fellow that there is also Charles Manyuchi, who won the WBC international welterweight title.

“We want to celebrate and have a mini party with his friends and family here at home,” said Billiat’s mother.

“Only the Lord knows the destination he wants him to reach. Each day his performance is different from the other match.

“He says some of the skills he exhibit in a game they just start in that particular match.”

Billiat’s father said they will ensure the player invests wisely.

“We are always full of advice and if we fail to do so no one will do so. We have his targets which we know as a family that he has always been planning and we cannot say anything at the moment.

“He has always planned his earnings not only because of the money he got for winning these awards from all the money he has been getting from his playing career in South Africa.

‘He has huge plans and if they come to fruition everything would be fine,” said Khama’s father.