Milford will not block players seeking bigger clubs, says coach Xanti Pupuma

Milford FC coach Xanti Pupuma says the club will consider offers for their players if moving to a bigger team would benefit their careers, although he insists they are not operating as a selling club.

The comments came after Milford were drawn against Orlando Pirates in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup. On Tuesday, Milford defender and academy product Bulelani Sigomoshe started for Pirates in their league win over TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium.

Milford are in their first season in the Betway Premiership and have made an encouraging start. Despite having few established or high-profile players, they have attracted attention for their style of football.

“If a team approaches us for a boy that we have and we feel that it is better for him, we will consider the offer. For me the situation needs to be better for the player because I know where they are coming from,” Pupuma said.

“If we feel we cannot provide such an environment for him, we will consider the offer. It is not necessarily being a selling team, but we are not going to hold anyone back.

“But it has to be good for the player, that is the most important thing for me.”

Pupuma also voiced his frustration that Milford cannot stage their matches at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay.

He said the club had hoped to bring major teams such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu to the area, allowing supporters from Richards Bay and Empangeni to watch them play.

“It is an unfortunate situation that we are facing, but it is not in our hands,” he said. “Obviously, the aim was to bring games to Richards Bay to have local people and those of Empangeni watch teams like Orlando Pirates, Sundowns, Chiefs and AmaZulu come into the area and play against us and Richards Bay, but that cannot happen.”

Milford played their first season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban, meaning a return to the city is familiar for the club.

“We are used to playing in Durban, but it is unfortunate for the people of uMhlathuze what is happening,” Pupuma added.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised Milford’s attacking approach, comments Pupuma said provided encouragement.

“It is humbling coming from somebody that has won the league and himself played good football,” he said. “It really gives us motivation that maybe we are going in the right direction.”

Milford reached the semifinals of last season’s Nedbank Cup, and Pupuma hopes that experience will help them against Pirates.

“Cup games are different from the league. You only have one chance and they tend to be open,” he said.

Although the tie will be played at Orlando Stadium, Pupuma said Milford would travel to Gauteng determined to compete.

“We are a little bit more confident. We are used to the system, we are used to the league, the pace, and hopefully we will go there and really give them a game.”