Khama Billiat’s options revealed…and CT City stick to R37m for Khanyisa Mayo

This was revealed by Cape Town City chairman John Comitis on Sports Night Amplified with host Andile Ncube and the Premier Soccer League executive member also confirmed interest in the player. 

Billiat, 33, has been without a club since rejecting a new deal from Amakhosi, a side where he spent five years having joined them from Mamelodi Sundowns, with reports suggesting his salary was being cut. 

There has been no word from Billiat since, but Comitis revealed discussions with a quality player he initially signed at Ajax Cape Town in 2010.  

“I’ve not had contact with Khama, to be honest, we were waiting on him to make a decision on his future, where he would like to see himself. I think he’s still in the efforts to try and find something in the Middle East, which would be lucrative for him…so we are sitting on the side waiting for his response,” the chairman explained, adding it was his ex-teammate Lebo Manyama who’d spoken to Billiat. 

The duo played together at Ajax as well as Chiefs and Manyama is now the assistant coach at City after he retired from playing recently. 

“Lebo Manyama had the conversation and that is the context of the conversation. Who wouldn’t want to have him [Khama] back? As long as he is fit to play, who wouldn’t want to have him in their team?” 

Ncube also asked Comitis about another striker on City’s books in Khanyisa Mayo as his name continues to be linked with Mamelodi Sundowns. 

“I made a statement that if Mayo scores 15 goals this season, then USD2-million [R37-million] is his price tag. I don’t think I am wrong. Even that number now with what’s happening with the African Football League [AFL], they are throwing money around like it’s nothing – let it come my way. At this stage we are happy with Mayo, he still has a long term contract with us.” 

Mayo, a Bafana Bafana international, is currently the joint top goal scorer in the DStv Premiership with six goals, half of what he finished on last season.

The 25-year-old was rewarded with a new contract that now runs until June 2028. 

Comitis added City were not open to selling the player during the January transfer window to avoid disrupting their campaign, but were open to offers at the end of it.