Milford FC’s Pupuma proud of fearless start in Betway Premiership

Milford FC chairman and coach Xanti Pupuma says he is proud of how his newly promoted side have competed during their first five matches in the Betway Premiership, despite defeats by South African football heavyweights Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The KwaZulu-Natal club are playing in the PSL top flight for the first time after earning promotion through the Promotion/Relegation Playoffs in June. Their opening five league matches have produced two wins, one draw and two defeats, leaving Milford fifth in the table on seven points.

Pupuma believes the results, and particularly the way his team have approached their matches against established top-flight opposition, provide encouragement for the rest of the campaign.

“It’s very motivating, that’s actually what we’re going to take back that we can actually compete,” said Pupuma.

Milford were beaten by Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, but Pupuma said those matches had demonstrated that his players were capable of competing at the highest level in the domestic game.

“We have played Orlando Pirates, now we have played Sundowns and we didn’t disappoint ourselves.

“And of the games we have played, especially the home games, we have managed to get points on both.

“So, for us being the new kids on the block, being team that qualified through the playoffs. I really think we’re doing okay.

The club’s results have given them a positive early position in the league, with seven points from their first five fixtures. Pupuma also highlighted the importance of collecting points in their home matches as Milford adjust to the demands of the Premiership.

However, the coach identified the final third as the area that requires the most improvement. He warned that mistakes in front of goal are punished more severely in the top flight than in the division from which Milford were promoted.

“Obviously, we have to work on the final third. The difference where we come from and the top-flight, is that if you miss your chances, the other team will get one or two and put it in and that’s the end of it.

“So, we really have to focus on the final third, improve our play there and the finishing.”

Milford’s two defeats have come against two of the league’s most established clubs, but Pupuma’s assessment remains positive after a start that has left the newcomers in fifth place. The challenge now is to turn their promising attacking performances into more goals while maintaining the competitive spirit shown in their opening fixtures.

The club’s first top-flight season follows their successful Promotion/Relegation Playoffs campaign in June. As newcomers to the PSL top flight, Milford have already taken seven points from five matches and will now focus on improving their finishing as they continue their debut Betway Premiership campaign.

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