Pupuma encouraged by Milford FC’s display despite defeat by Orlando Pirates

Milford FC head coach Xanti Pupuma says his side can take confidence from their 2-0 defeat by Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates, insisting the newly promoted team “didn’t embarrass themselves” in their first match in South Africa’s top flight.

Milford FC were beaten by goals from Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi, who scored in the first and second halves respectively at the opening of the new campaign.

The match was Milford FC’s first ever in the top flight after they secured promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Champions through the promotion/relegation route at the end of last season. Pupuma knew his players faced a demanding introduction against the reigning champions, but was satisfied with much of their performance.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, I think my boys didn’t embarrass themselves in fact if anything probably they were fortunate to get the first goal,” Pupuma told SuperSport TV.

Although Orlando Pirates took the lead, Pupuma felt Milford FC responded well and controlled significant periods of the contest. He said a mistake contributed to the second goal, by which stage his team had committed players forward in search of an equaliser.

“After that, we controlled the game for most parts I think and we really were looking for it and again just a slight small misjudgement led to the second goal which by that time it really didn’t matter because we were trying to get an equaliser.

“Tried to change the shape a little bit, but it didn’t work. Look, there’s a lot of positives to take from the game, I’m not stressed not worried, I think if we can play this the whole season we’ll be fine,” he added.

The result leaves Milford FC looking ahead to their next two matches, both of which will be played at home. Pupuma said his immediate priority was to ensure the club begins collecting points as it adapts to life in the Betway Premiership.

He also identified the return fixture against the Buccaneers as an opportunity for Milford FC to make the champions work harder when they visit Umhlathuze later in the season.

“I suppose (laughs), it’s the first time I was here, I’m hoping to come back again for a cup or so to try and prove a few things. But I’m hoping to give them a difficult time in Umhlathuze when they come around, our focus now is the two home games.

“We really must get something, but if we can play like this we’ll definitely get something from the two home games,” Pupuma said.

Despite the opening-day loss, the Milford FC manager believes the performance against Orlando Pirates provided evidence that his team can compete at the highest level of South African football. The newcomers will now turn their attention away from the champions and towards the two home fixtures that Pupuma considers crucial to their early-season progress.