Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City FC look set to turn to a familiar face, Thulani Nkosi, as they replace Musa Nyatama, who is on the verge of joining Durban City FC, FARPost can reveal.
Nyatama is expected to take up a role as assistant coach to Khalil Ben Youssef at the KZN outfit.
The former Orlando Pirates midfielder arrived in Durban on Thursday to finalise the move after the Farook Kadodia-owned outfit sought Upington City’s permission to engage him, as he remains under contract with the second-tier side. Upington have moved swiftly to identify a replacement, with Nkosi emerging as the preferred candidate for a second spell at the club.
The 39-year-old coach is no stranger to the Northern Cape side, having overseen their promotion to the National First Division. He led them to victory in the 2022/23 SAFA National Playoffs, defeating Orbit College FC 3-1 in the final to secure promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
He remained in charge during the club’s debut campaign in the NFD before stepping down in December 2024. At the time of his departure, Upington were struggling for form and was 11th on the table with 16 points from 13 matches. They had recorded four wins, four draws and five defeats, and the club subsequently appointed Brandon Truter as his successor.
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Nkosi, who turned out for Mpumalanga Black Aces during his playing days, previously led Northern Cape side Kakamas Juventus, guiding them to the SAFA National Playoffs after winning the provincial title.
In October 2025, he took over as coach of Limpopo ABC Motsepe League outfit Selwane White Vultures. As he completes a full-circle return to Upington City, he is set to part ways with Selwane.
Upington, on the other hand, are preparing for life without Nyatama, who joined them months after leaving Chippa United last season. He guided them to a seventh-place finish in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
His imminent move to Durban City marks his return to top-flight football. Ben Youssef named him his preferred assistant as the club strengthens its technical team ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
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