Pupuma outlines objectives after Milford’s impressive league start
Milford coach Xanti Pupuma feels the team have set themselves up pretty well for the second half of their Premiership campaign following an impressive start in their season debut.
The Stallions have collected 15 points from nine matches, with only two defeats — against Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
On Saturday, they moved to fourth on the log standings following their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows in the KwaZulu-Natal derby at King Zwelithini Stadium — one point ahead of fifth-placed Kaizer Chiefs.
Siphosethu Ndlabi scored the only goal late in the second half to hand his side their first away win of the campaign.
“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.”
Pupuma praised his team for their fearless play after they won the PSL Promotional playoffs last season.
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Kruger United registered their second win of the season when they beat Chippa United 1-0 away on Saturday, while Sekhukhune United beat Marumo Gallants 2-1 on the same day.