Musa Nyatama bounces back in the Motsepe Foundation Championship

The 37-year-old helped the Dube Birds avoid relegation last season before the club sold its topflight status to Marumo Gallants, leaving Nyatama and his backroom staff in limbo over the last several months. 

But the ex-Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has finally bounced back in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, the second tier of the Premier Soccer League, as the head coach.

It’s understood he will take over from Mpho Maleka with immediate effect to try rescue a side that is currently occupying the bottom of the log after only three wins in 16 matches so far.

Leruma United rose to the ranks at the start of the 2024/25 season by taking over the Gallants franchise when their purchase of the Swallows status essentially became a done deal in July last year.

Nyatama and a few Swallows staff members had been embroiled in a dispute with Gallants over a breach of contract, as reported by SABC Sport four months ago.

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There has been no further public update since, however, Nyatama is seemingly moving on by accepting the job at United.   

His first league matches will be against Black Leopards at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on February 1 with United not in action this weekend having failed to make it to the Nedbank Cup round of 16.