Milford boss Pupuma targets home advantage after encouraging start

Milford FC chairman and coach Xanti Pupuma believes his side can build on an encouraging start to their first Betway Premiership campaign, with the club set to play only home matches in KwaZulu-Natal over the next two months.

The Stallions collected a point from a goalless draw with Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Saturday, taking their total to eight points from six matches.

Milford have already recorded home victories over fellow newcomers Kruger United and Siwelele FC. Their only defeats so far have come against reigning champions Orlando Pirates and African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pupuma was pleased with the result against Chippa, particularly after Milford had travelled to face Sundowns in midweek. He said the demanding schedule had forced him to rotate his squad before the journey to East London.

“Being the away team, we will take the point. I think towards the end we did feel as if we could have made better decisions and probably stolen it. I think overall we will take a point; we just played on Wednesday against the African champions, and we had to rotate a little bit to accommodate that,” said Pupuma.

The draw means Milford will now return to KwaZulu-Natal, where their fixtures for the next two months will all be played at home. Pupuma believes that run of matches provides an opportunity for his team to make the most of familiar surroundings, although he insists the club will continue to approach the season one game at a time.

“We will take it one match at a time,” is the message from the Milford coach as the newly promoted side looks to maintain its positive momentum and continue adapting to the demands of the Betway Premiership.

Cebolenkosi Mthethwa was named Man of the Match after the stalemate with Chippa United, and received a warm embrace from Pupuma at the final whistle.

The box-to-box midfielder has impressed with his energy, his decision-making and his willingness to influence the game in both penalty areas. His performances have already made him one of the players attracting attention during Milford’s opening weeks in the top flight.

Pupuma believes Mthethwa’s progress is worth monitoring, and says South African football followers should keep a close eye on the midfielder as the campaign develops.

Milford may still add to their squad while the transfer window remains open, meaning further recruitment before the deadline cannot be ruled out. Even so, Pupuma has confidence in the group that earned promotion and has guided the club through a promising opening to its maiden Betway Premiership season.

The Stallions’ results against Siwelele FC and Kruger United have given them a strong platform, while the defeats by Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have provided a measure of the level they are competing against. Their draw with Chippa United added another point and reinforced Pupuma’s belief that Milford can compete, particularly when they are able to use their home advantage.