VETERAN South African football journalist Mark Gleeson, one of the most respected writers of the game on the continent, hailed Zimbabwean star Khama Billiat after Mamelodi Sundowns beat George Chigova’s Polokwane City 2-0 in the first round of the Telkom Knockout on Thursday night.

Writing for Times, a South African publican, Gleeson attributed Sundowns’ victory to the introduction of Billiat who came on as a second half substitute.

“Sundowns were out on the pitch just 36 hours after arriving at OR Tambo Airport to a tumultuous and lengthy welcome and initially looked a little sluggish as they looked back to get back into action but came alive in the second half once Khama Billiat had come on for the injured Yannick Zakri.

“Billiat injected the requisite energy and allowed Sundowns to overshadow their visitors after a tepid first 45 minutes,” wrote Gleeson.

Billiat had a number of dazzling touches, initiating most of Sundowns’ forays who took one step towards defending the Telkom Cup.

The newly crowned African champions got their goals through captain Hlompo Kekana and substitute Themba Zwane.

Kekana’s blistering 65th minute grounder was too much for former Warriors keeper Chigova who could only look as the ball rattled the nets.

Aside from the two goals he conceded, Chigova had looked composed in between the sticks and was never troubled in the first half.

The 26-year-old Billiat’s star continues to shine and such rave reviews from respected journalists like Gleeson can only serve the Zimbabwean well ahead of  the Footballer of the Year award reserved for African players plying their trade on the continent.

Billiat has been touted as a potential winner after Sundowns beat Zamalek in the 2016 Champions League final last weekend.

The Mufakose bred star is also on the 30-man shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award alongside the likes of Rihad Mahrez (Leicester City), Eric Bailly (Manchester United), Pierre Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)  and Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City).