Following his abrupt departure from Chippa United at the start of the season, where he was assistant to Themba Badela, Musa Nyatama is nearing a return to coaching.
With Upington City FC head coach Abram Mongoya’s tenure in the Northern Cape seemingly coming to an end, Nyatama has been linked to the position.
Mongoya was recently charged with “serious misconduct” for accepting a role with the Lesotho national team without the club’s prior approval. He was on the bench alongside Leslie Notsi during Likuena’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein last month.
The club was reportedly taken by surprise when Mongoya failed to report for duty in early September, which was also the time of Lesotho’s training camp before their match against South Africa.
Following the Bafana fixture, Mongoya traveled with Likuena to face Benin in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Most recently, he also sat on the bench when Lesotho defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in Polokwane.
His disciplinary hearing took place last month, and the Lesotho native is now awaiting the outcome. If found guilty of serious misconduct, it will likely lead to his departure from Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City FC.
NYATAMA LINKED WITH UPINGTON CITY FC
Nyatama had been targeted by the Northern Cape side before they appointed the former Kruger United coach ahead of the 2025/26 season. However, The Chilli Boys quickly secured his signature, and he was unable to join them.
With Mongoya’s future uncertain, FARPost has learned that Nyatama is being considered as a possible replacement. Upington are currently in sixth place, having won three of their opening games, lost two, and drawn one. They are just seven points behind log leaders Casric Stars, although they have a game in hand.
With the uncertainty surrounding their coach, Upington might prefer not to delay their plans while awaiting the disciplinary verdict expected this week. Nyatama, a former player of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, has coaching experience in the top flight.
He is credited with saving Moroka Swallows from relegation in the 2023/24 season before the club was sold. In the Motsepe Foundation Championship, he worked with Leruma United last season.
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