Betway Premiership newcomers Milford are targeting six points from their next two league games with owner-coach Xanti Pupuma stressing the importance of the games after they lost their debut match away at champions Orlando Pirates some 10 days ago.
“It's absolutely crucial that we get these six points,” he said of the matches against Siwelele on Wednesday and fellow newly promoted side Kruger United at the weekend.
Pupuma wants Milford’s home at Umhlathuzane Sports Complex in Richards Bay to be a veritable fortress.
“I really think anybody that comes there, they must really expect a very hostile, uh, offensive team that is going come at them,” he said.
“Last season, we only lost two games there but the season before that, we were playing in Durban and our home form wasn't so great.
“So guys understand that we get whatever we can get away, but at home, you really must play to win. And if we're not going to be competitive against the next two teams, then who are we going to be really in this division? So that's the mentality I'm going to try and drive into my players.”
His plans, however, have been partially derailed by a Premier Soccer League decision to close the venue to fix the pitch.
After Wednesday’s game against Siwelele, maintenance will begin and the stadium closed for at least one month.
That means Milford will host Kruger United at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.
Pupuma says he hopes to see Milford establish themselves in the Betway Premiership “for as long as possible and grow as a brand to very, very high limits and to spend as much time as possible in the top flight".
“It took us a very long time to get here. But as the coach, just to survive this season, maybe, you know, make the top eight, who knows?” he said.