Pupuma targets December progress after Milford’s strong Premiership start

Milford coach Xanti Pupuma says his side have given themselves a strong platform for the second half of their Premiership campaign after an encouraging start to their first season in the division.

The Stallions have taken 15 points from their opening nine matches, suffering only two defeats, against Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Their latest result was a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows in the KwaZulu-Natal derby at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday. Siphosethu Ndlabi scored the only goal late in the second half to secure Milford’s first away win of the campaign.

The victory lifted Milford to fourth in the standings, one point above fifth-placed Kaizer Chiefs.

“The aim and the plan were to have a good start, and fortunately for us, things have gone the way we would have hoped,” Pupuma told the media at the post-match press conference.

“Hopefully, we can continue ticking the boxes that we wanted to tick and see where we are in December. Hopefully, we will be in a place where we don’t desperately need points in the second round because it gets tougher.”

Milford secured promotion by winning the PSL Promotional playoffs last season, and Pupuma said his players had approached their first Premiership campaign without fear.

He also credited the continuity within the squad for its ability to compete at a higher level.

“I might sound like I’m being arrogant, full of myself, when I say I’m surprised by how we have played. I really think the players are doing what they are capable of. The team will continue because it has been together for some time,” he said.

Pupuma added that Milford’s previous experience of fighting relegation in the Motsepe Foundation Championship would help them prepare for the second half of the season.

“Hopefully, we have learnt from situations like this. Having fought relegation ourselves in the first season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, we know what to do in the break when you start the second half of the season. We know the target that we think should be safe.

“If we can get there by December, which is quite possible, that would take pressure off my shoulders as well. Maybe I can go back to the office and leave it to others to run the team.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Kruger United claimed their second win of the season with a 1-0 away victory over Chippa United.

Sekhukhune United also earned three points, beating Marumo Gallants 2-1.