In this interview with Sabie Chili, Oliseh as he is affectionately known talks about his experience at Downs and that he plans to revive his career during his one-year loan stint at Bloemfontein Celtic.
Musa Nyatama showed great promise with his silky skills and exhilarating pace during his time at Maritzburg United three seasons ago. It didn`t come as a surprise when he signed for Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2010/11 season. However, in the two seasons he spent at Chloorkop, Nyatama found the going tough breaking into the starting eleven.
Personal Information
Full Names: Musa Nyatama
Date of birth: 15 August 1987
Place of birth: Benoni
Nickname: Oliseh
Position: Midfielder
Club: Bloemfontein Celtic
Previous Clubs:
Daveyton Liverpool (amateur)
Wits Juniors
Thanda Royal Zulu
Maritzburg United
Mamelodi Sundowns.
Honours:
2011/12 Nedbank cup runner-up
2012/13 Telkom Knockout runner-up (both with Sundowns)
Hi Oliseh, it must feel good to get another chance to play regularly, following your move to Bloemfontein Celtic.
Ja, it is a good feeling indeed.
So, how did you end up at Celtic?
My agent, Alban Newman, organized the move for me. He is the one who spoke to Clinton Larsen and asked him if I should come to the club on loan. Clinton was keen to have me in the team.
Did you ask Alban to organize the loan move for you?
Ja, I had been telling him that I need a loan move. I need game time. Every player needs to play. I asked him to organize for me to go elsewhere. He spoke to Celtic because they have been interested in me since last season.
Didn`t Sundowns have a problem with the idea?
No, they never had a problem. They played a big role in making it happen. I need to thank them for their support.
And Celtic?
They called me, and on my first day with the team, they told me that they wanted to sign me. But at the time they still needed to talk to Sundowns before finalizing the deal.
And how are you adapting?
Obviously Celtic and Sundowns don`t play the same style of football. But I can see that I am adjusting to the system. The coaches are helping me a lot to adjust to the system.
Celtic didn`t do badly last season. They won the Telkom Knockout, and finished fifth on the PSL log. But goal scoring was a problem. It`s probably safe to say that you have been signed to create more chances for their strikers.
You spot on. They have been saying that they conceded more goals in the league last season than they scored. I think they scored 32 goals and conceded 33. But they didn`t do badly at all because, like you say, they finished in fifth position on the log. A top 5 finish is a big achievement. I am looking forward to adding my contribution to the team to score more goals this season.
Let`s talk about Sundowns. How did you do in the two seasons you were with the club?
In the first season I did play a few games, and that was it. In the second season, I didn`t play at all. I think I played two or three games. In fact, it was just one start and a few substitute appearances. I can say that things didn`t happen the way I had hoped for. But I enjoyed being there, although I wasn`t playing. I enjoyed going to training every day and being with the guys.
What made things happen the way they did?
I don`t know. I seriously don`t know, my brother. I can`t lie, I just don`t know. You must know that in football there are ups and downs. It`s like in life, things are not always going smooth. It must be rough at times to actually experience life.
Sundowns are known for having a squad of many quality players. Did you ever think that maybe you were not good enough to compete with them when you were not playing?
No, I never thought that. Never!
Sundowns players on loan at other clubs are not allowed to play against the club. You did not play for Celtic against Sundowns.
No, I didn`t play because of that clause that’s in the contract.
So, how did you feel about that though?
Obviously, as a player you want to play against your former club. I didn’t like it. But, at the end of the day, they know that it`s business for them, you may score and do well. They are protecting themselves in a way. I can`t blame them for that.
Oliseh, thanks for your time, and all the best at Celtic.
It`s my pleasure.
