Khama Billiat netted a hat-trick as Kaizer Chiefs thumped Zimamoto 4-0 in their Caf Confederation Cup opener, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Giovanni Solinas’ side went into the clash on the back of a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Telkom Knockout Cup semi-final.

Amakhosi will be eyeing victory in the Confederation Cup with their last involvement in the cup coming in 2014.

Solinas rang in the changes to his side that lost 2-1 to Pirates, with the likes of Virgil Vries, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Eric Mathoho, Teeenage Hadebe, Daniel Cardoso and Kabelo Mahlasela being handed starting berths.

Chiefs started the brighter of the two teams and took the lead as early as the seventh minute when Khama Billiat expertly slotted a free kick home.

Amakhosi were guilty of taking their foot off the pedal, with the likes of Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana and Leonardo Castro guilty of needlessly giving away possession and missing easy chances.

Billiat completed his brace in the 34th minute. However, his strike was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. Zimamoto immediately hit back when a poor header from Mathoho was almost diverted past Vries, however the Namibian made a fine save to deny the goalbound effort.

Billiat was not to be denied on the hour mark as he latched on to Castro’s cut-back to squeeze the ball past the goalkeeper.

Chiefs added a third in the 68th minute when Mahlasela curled home an effort.

Amakhosi added another when Hadebe was adjudged to have been brought down in the area. Billiat stepped up and slotted home the resultant penalty to grab his hat-trick.

In the end, it proved a routine victory for Solinas’ men who ran out comfortable 4-0 victors.

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