Khama Ballon d’Or quality?
By Showbiz Writer
The Quality that Khama Billiat showed in Zimbabwe’s opening Afcon game on Sunday proves he is nothing but Ballon d’Or material; at least that is according the assertions by Ghanaian legend Samuel Kuffour.
Kuffour was one of the match analysts on SuperSport when he oozed about the pint sized forward who gave Algerian defenders a difficult time due to his immense skill.
In the post-match match analysis, the Ghanaian likened Khama to Cristiano Ronaldo, Abedi Pele Ayew, Samuel Eto’, George Weah, Jay Jay Okocha and Senegalese Sadio Mane whose team is in the same group at the on-going Afcon tournament.
But while Khama is being rated as highly as he has probably never imagined, Zimbabwean audiences and businesses alike have not taken initiative to capitalise and celebrate his talent.
One can imagine the frenzies often associated with football and can certainly predict what other African countries represented at the tournament are probably doing in their homelands.
But save for the ‘ignition’ party/event that was held at O’Hagans in Borrrowdale Sunday evening; everything else has been just small parties in homes viewing the games in homes and pubs.
The huge parties that often characterise tournaments of such magnitude are nowhere to be seen.
Could it be the economic challenges that Zimbabwe is facing? The rains?
Others have blamed the economy while others believe the public lacked confidence in the team.
“Not everyone is really believing that these guys will progress to the next round but if they manage to do that that is when you see real support,” said one Vaas T.
While others also blamed the Phillip Chiyangwa led football body for poor preparations and motivation for the players and the public alike, soccer fanatic James Munemo aka Dr Mabhegi said the mood was actually reflective of the great soccer being played by the Zimbabwe Warriors.
“Where have been? People have actually responded positively. I it’s just the rains that have deterred people from showing how they are really feeling,” said Dr Mabhegi.
What Kuffour said about Khama: ”I think it’s a very long time since I have seen such a player on the African continent. Who can you imagine? Maybe Sadio Mane. But it’s very difficult to describe such a player because he’s got everything. Even though the likes of maybe Ronaldo will take the headed part of the game, maybe the height advantage into the game. But he has everything,” he said..
“You see the dribbling and today it wasn’t just one-on-one with the goalkeeper and every time that he does something you got to pay service. So it tells me that maybe the likes of Okocha, the likes of maybe Samuel Eto’ or whoever Abedi Pele, George Weah that comes to mind, but this guy can be another level. If he really wants it, I think he has to move to Europe.
What makes the sentiments worth riding home about is the stature of Kuffour who was a Ballon d’Or nominee in 2001 and eventually finished second in the African player of the year category during his days at Bayern Munich in 1999 and 2001.
“It will be very disappointing for the African continent not to see him play here, but in terms of his career, the way he is at and the way he is just going at 26 years, I think he needs to move into Europe,” he said.
“He is amazing to watch. For me being a defender it’s going to be difficult to play against this one because he is too small.
“You don’t know what he is going to do with the ball. He has everything. For me I just love him going outside for his future.”
Additional information from The Herald.
