The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced the return of star midfielder Khama Billiat to the national team.

Billiat revealed in a statement on Wednesday that he would be coming out of retirement to play for the Warriors in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The former PSL Footballer of the Year has enjoyed a resurgence in the Zimbabwe Premier League since leaving South Africa in 2023. He is a key player for Yadah FC, where he is the joint-top goal scorer with ten goals and was recently named the league’s player of the month.

Billiat’s impressive form inspired Yadah to a crucial victory over Chegutu Pirates in a league match on Sunday.

The 34-year-old, who arrived in South Africa in 2010 from CAPS United, achieved significant success at Mamelodi Sundowns before joining Kaizer Chiefs in 2018. He won three league titles, a Nedbank Cup, a CAF Champions League, and a CAF Super Cup during his career.

Zimbabwe will begin their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign in Group J with a match against Kenya on 6 September at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. They will then host Cameroon four days later at a venue yet to be announced, which may potentially be in South Africa.

Zimbabwe is one of 17 CAF member associations that are currently banned from hosting international matches due to their stadiums not meeting CAF standards. The Warriors’ 2026 World Cup qualifying home matches have been played in South Africa.