Milford expect more departures after Orlando Pirates sign Bulelani ‘Ace’ Sigomoshe

Milford FC coach and chairman Dr Xanti Pupuma says the club was prepared for Bulelani ‘Ace’ Sigomoshe to leave for Orlando Pirates after the right-back’s outstanding campaign helped secure promotion to the Betway Premiership.

The 26-year-old was a key figure in Milford’s promotion-winning side before joining the defending champions. Pupuma accepts that other players could attract interest from bigger clubs, but says Milford will not stand in their way if the terms are right and their welfare is protected.

The club’s strategy will continue to focus on identifying and developing players from within its own system, with those already at Milford expected to take on greater responsibility when established members of the squad depart.

“We always knew Ace was gonna go, he had a great season last season, so it was just a matter of time. I think against Magesi he had a knock which delayed his preseason and so we had to first sort him out,” Pupuma said.

The injury meant Sigomoshe’s move was delayed while Milford made sure he had recovered.

“I’m an honest person so I don’t want to create any enemies, so I wouldn’t have agreed to let him go with an injury so we had to sort him out and we got him back. There are a few others that we were expecting that they would go with the big teams, so we’re prepared for that.

“If it comes to that we are not gonna hold anyone back but the offer or the deal has to be good for my player and I need to see that they are going to look after the boy. Then maybe we’ll agree, it doesn’t mean we’ll agree any time somebody comes and knocks.”

Pupuma also rejected the suggestion that Milford must recruit recognised, high-profile names to maintain their encouraging start in the top flight.

Instead, he pointed to the quality already within his squad and said the club’s method of finding less established players had been in place for several seasons.

“I have Menzi, I have Cele, I have Mthiyane, who’s bigger than that? I have Mhleza, I have the big names. Look, I mean what we do in the team is we identify someone, like take Nomandela for instance and Mabena and Nqobi, he hasn’t played yet, Mbhele,” he added.

“These are players that I identified, followed for seasons. I followed for two seasons, Mabena maybe two and a half, we’ve got these names, we got quite a long list.”

With Sigomoshe no longer at the club, Milford are considering two wingers as possible replacements. Pupuma said neither would necessarily arrive from a major club.

“I mean we have two wingers now that Ace is gone, so we are working on trying to get one of those two wingers, so it’s not someone that’s gonna come from a big team, it’s just gonna be another unknown that’s gonna come and surprise you.”