Victorious Milford owner-coach Xanti Pupuma says his side made a dream start to the Betway Premiership promotion-relegation playoffs after their 1-0 away win over Cape Town City on Tuesday, but he wants to make sure his players keep focus for the rest of the mini-league.
A first-half penalty converted by Siphosethu Ndlabi saw Milford start the six-match playoff series with vital away points, withstanding a late barrage at the Athlone Stadium from the home side, who were desperate to get an equaliser.
“Tell me about it being a tough game! Look, I mean, there's a reason why Cape Town City ended the (Motsepe Foundation Championship) season second. They peaked at the right time. They have very exciting young boys, and with a lot of energy,” Pupuma said of the opposition.
“So, in a way, we expected it. We had to change how we play a little bit in the second half, just to accommodate the pressure that they were bringing, and fortunately for us, I think towards the end, what we were exposed to is the same as what we experienced when we were playing Hungry Lions in Upington (in their key last game of the regular season).
“So, in a way, it was easy for my boys to adjust and try and defend what we had and take from there.”
Promotion Play-Off - RESULT:
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) May 26, 2026
Milford secure an away victory in today’s Promotion Play-Off action. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/LQ8Dq3mfho
Pupuma, who coached the side to a place in the Nedbank Cup semifinal this season, agreed it was the perfect start to the playoffs.
“Getting three points away is a very, very big plus, but it doesn't mean automatically we are guaranteed the points at home.
“However, we know at uMhlathuze (Sports Complex), where we train and sleep and eat, we're going to make it very, very difficult for both Magesi and Cape Town City that are going to come there,” he said.
Milford went into the playoffs on the back of a run of four wins and one draw in their final five fixtures of the regular season.
“I think going through the season itself, we had good runs, and then we lost the plot a little bit. It might have been the distraction from the cup, or whatever. I feel that when we went to Upington (for their last game against the Hungry Lions), we were already on a good run, and I think the win over Cape Town City is a continuation of that, where the guys actually realised what we can achieve and how close we are to achieving what we want to achieve,” Pupuma added.
PRAYING FOR A DRAW
Milford play their next playoff match at home to Magesi next Wednesday, 3 June, with Magesi and Cape Town City playing each other next in Seshego on Saturday.
“Hopefully, they draw, so we're going to pray for that,” he quipped.
“Maybe they both drop points, and then it's an advantage to us. I'm now having the task of trying to keep the boys calm and try and keep them focused on the bigger picture, because I'm hoping they're not going to get into their heads that the job is done when it's actually not done at home.
“I'm expecting Cape Town City to play the same way when they come to Richards Bay. If I remember correctly, from our first round game, they also gave us a run for our money and we scored a more or less similar goal, even though it wasn't a penalty, but it came off a set piece.
“We played it quickly and caught them off guard, and that's how we managed to beat them. And I think with the penalty as well, they were caught off guard and we used the situation well,” the Milford boss added.