Milford took belief from Orlando Pirates defeat, says coach Pupuma

Milford FC’s 2-0 defeat by defending champions Orlando Pirates on the opening day of the Betway Premiership season convinced the newly promoted club that they could compete in the top flight, says coach and chairman Dr Xanti Pupuma.

The newcomers have since made an encouraging start to life in the division, collecting 11 points from their first seven league matches. Milford have won three, drawn two and lost two games, leaving them fifth in the standings.

Their progress continued on Sunday with a convincing 5-1 victory over neighbours Richards Bay. Pupuma believes the unity within his squad has been central to the club’s successful adaptation to the demands of the Premiership.

“The first game against Pirates gave us the confidence and the belief that we can compete in this division. We gave the defending champions a few headaches on that day,” he said.

“Fortunately for me, these boys have been playing alongside one another for a long time and they would do anything for each other.”

Pupuma has kept faith with much of the group that helped Milford win promotion, making only a small number of additions instead of significantly reshaping his squad.

He feels that continuity has allowed the players to adjust more quickly to top-flight football. The club’s Diski Challenge team is also expected to provide a route for developing more players capable of strengthening the senior squad.

Despite the result, Pupuma was unhappy that Sunday’s first top-flight derby between Milford and Richards Bay had to be played in Durban rather than at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay.

The stadium was handed a four-week PSL suspension after an inspection, meaning both clubs were required to move their home matches during that period. The derby was therefore staged at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.

Pupuma believes the match would have drawn a significantly larger attendance had it taken place in Richards Bay.

“No I’m not happy because if we were in Richards Bay we were going to have 8,000 fans attending. We don’t have the facilities and means to bring them to certain games like Richards Bay did.”

Milford’s coach says the depth of his squad, combined with the work being carried out on the training ground, should help the club sustain its performances throughout the season.