Khama Billiat believes there is no greater honour than representing his country after ensuring Zimbabwe’s progress to the second round of World Cup qualifiers.

Billiat was called up to the Warriors’ squad at late notice for the second leg of their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Somalia. Having lost the first leg 1-0, the Amakhosi frontman was drafted in as an emergency measure and delivered by coming to the rescue with a 90th-minute goal to seal a 3-1 victory and ensure his country progressed to the second round of qualifiers 3-2 on aggregate.

Chiefs boss Ernst Middendorp was furious with the fact that Billiat played the full ninety minutes as he has been struggling to shake off a knee injury sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations which has seen him limited to just two appearances for the Glamour Boys this season.

But Billiat, speaking to the club’s official website in the aftermath of the win over Somalia, seemed to have a dig at Middendorp when he said that ‘nothing comes close’ to playing for his country.

“We knew it was going to be a tough one… This was a must win for us. We started slow but I think we were anxious about the deficit. But at the end I am happy, and the Zimbabweans are happy we won.

“It was a long time coming (the goal). After all, it was a team effort and I am glad I contributed. Nothing comes close to representing the nation, especially if you consider the situation we found ourselves in.”

Chiefs tackle Polokwane City on Saturday evening and Middendorp might want to rest his star man given the seemingly icy relationship between the pair and his recent exertions.