FORMER Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs defender Rabson Mchichwa has picked Khama Billiat ahead of former Zimbabwe captains Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari as well as current skipper Knowledge Musona as the best Zimbabwean to have played in the South African topflight.

The former Dynamos defender, who played for Amakhosi from 1995 to 1999 in his prime time after joining from QwaQwa Stars, surprisingly left Belgium-based Musona in his top five players, but included Ndlovu.

Mchichwa said the Zimbabwean players’ invasion of the South African top league was heralded by one of the pioneers to play in that country, the Zimbabwe Saints legend Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo in the 1970s.

“Sugar was one of the first Zimbabwean players to play in South Africa and paved the way for Zimbabwean footballers to play in Mzansi,” Mchichwa said.

Dozens of Zimbabwean players who have played in the South African top league include Tinashe Nengomasha, Thomas Sweswe, Tauya Murehwa, Nyandoro, Alois Bunjira, Stewart Marisa, among many others.