FORMER Warriors skipper, Peter Ndlovu, feels Khama Billiat might have been suffering from burn-out after playing a lot of football in the past few years.

The Kaizer Chiefs forward has been a subject of criticism, from analysts and fans, who feel he has lost the magic which made him one of the hottest properties in the South African Premiership.

The 30-year-old was even pushed to the bench by Warriors coach, Zdravko Logarusic, in the reverse fixture of the 2021 AFCON qualifier against Algeria last week.

This followed a below-par showing, in the first match, in Algiers, where the Warriors crashed to a 1-3 defeat.

Billiat had the perfected opportunity to give his team the lead in the Algerian capital, but drilled his effort from close range, straight at the goalkeeper.

When he was thrown into the fray in Harare, he didn’t provide the kind of value associated with his presence and, when he failed to beat his marker in a one-on-one situation, Loga’s decision appeared to be vindicated.

However, there were signs, when Kaizer Chiefs drew 2-2 against Golden Warriors in a Supa Diski match at the weekend, that Billiat could be on his way to the form which many expect from him.

Chiefs legend, Gardner Seale, was impressed by Billiat’s show in that match and said the Zimbabwean must be given the freedom to make mistakes.

“Allow him to make mistakes man, allow him to make mistakes, don’t try to limit him,” Seale told KickOff.com.

“On Saturday, for me it wasn’t about winning, but once you play like that then the symptoms of winning will come.

“After such a long time I think Saturday’s performance is what made Chiefs sign him (in the first place).

“I think what they’ve seen in him is (that kind of) performance. He was absolutely great.

“Besides Billiat, the overall performance was just okay. I think they showed character.

“When they lost the ball they made sure they got it back quickly. Once you have that attitude I think half the battle is won you see.

“So Billiat was also doing the same, like I said, his brilliance was brilliant. Obviously he cannot play alone but that combination we saw at Sundowns, it was there.’’

Billiat’s best seasons in South Africa were at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he worked alongside Ndlovu, who is the club’s team manager. The Warriors star was instrumental in powering the Brazilians to back-to-back league championships and also helped them win the CAF Champions League.

“He has played lot of football, that what we must know also, loss of form is caused by too much football, and must be aligned with rest,’’ said Ndlovu.

“There are a lot of things going around a player, involving fatigue and mental (issues), but loss of form is just a temporary thing, but it’s how you come back.’’

The former Coventry City and Sheffield United forward said he also experienced such a slump in form during his playing days.

“How I managed all these things, during my playing days, was you look at what can bring you back into the game, so you have to contribute for the team, with or without the ball,’’ said Ndlovu.-The Herald