The coaching drama at Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City FC has reached a critical point after the club received a formal recommendation to dismiss head coach Abram Mongoya.
The recommendation stems from a disciplinary saga initiated after Mongoya accepted an unauthorised role with the Lesotho national team.
A disciplinary hearing concluded that the coach was guilty of two counts of serious misconduct. The charges stemmed from Mongoya’s acceptance of a role with the Lesotho Football Association [LEFA] without obtaining formal written consent from the club.
Mongoya sat on the bench when Likuena took on Bafana Bafana in September, and most recently, Zimbabwe in Polokwane.
The disciplinary process found Mongoya guilty on both counts, agreeing to and taking employment with LEFA during a FIFA break without authorisation and subsequent absenteeism and dereliction of duty from September 1, 2025.
The core of the dispute rested on whether Mongoya had been granted permission. While the coach admitted to discussing the LEFA offer with the Upington City management, his defence was based on an assumption that this verbal discussion constituted formal approval and leave. The disciplinary outcome decisively rejected this defence.
“Assumptions are not factual and are subjective in nature and cannot be used to prove that permission and leave were granted to the respondent,” reads the verdict.
SANCTION OF IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL RECOMMENDED
The presiding officer found the gravity of the misconduct, especially considering the professional environment of a football club, necessitated the severest penalty. Mongoya was found guilty as charged on both counts, and the sanction of immediate dismissal was recommended.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape club has moved swiftly to tie down Musa Nyatama to a two-year deal. The former Moroka Swallows coach is expected to take over the reins with immediate effect.
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