Pupuma Credits Pirates Clash For Milford’s Impressive Start
Milford coach Xanti Pupuma believes his side are reaping the rewards of their early-season performances against Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, which helped build the confidence behind their impressive start to the Betway Premiership season.
The Stallions continued their fine run on Sunday with a dominant 5-1 victory over Richards Bay in the first competitive Richards Bay derby between the two sides at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
The result strengthened Milford’s position in the league as they climbed to fifth place with 11 points from seven matches. They have won three games, drawn two and suffered two defeats so far this season.
Pupuma believes the confidence behind Milford’s performances can be traced back to their opening league match against defending champions Orlando Pirates.
The Stallions lost 2-0 to Pirates in their opening game of the season, but their performance against the reigning champions gave the team belief that they could compete at the highest level of South African football.
“The first game against Orlando Pirates gave us the confidence and the belief that we can actually compete in the division,” Pupuma said.
“We played against the champions, and we showed up. We dominated possession and gave them a headache.
“These boys have been together. They would do anything for each other.
“They know what I want, how I want us to play. The sessions that we do with them during training prepare them for this kind of situation.
“They are still young, they are coming, and they can play. They really can play.”
Milford showed a similar level of competitiveness when they faced Mamelodi Sundowns. Although they also suffered defeat against the African champions, the Stallions once again impressed with their approach and ability to dominate possession for periods of the match.
Following Sunday’s derby victory, Pupuma praised his players for repaying the faith he has shown in them and said the occasion was about much more than the technical aspects of the game.
“I’m very impressed and happy for them,” he added.
“You know, they finally had the opportunity to be seen by the rest of South Africa for what they can do, and they are sort of saying thank you to me for sticking with them.
“So I’m happy, very, very happy for them, and hopefully they continue to be in that zone. I think Sunday’s game was more about the heart than the technical side of things, which is why I was saying we started with the right thing.
“You know, people who have been involved in the team from the beginning, even when we had the dream of playing this kind of derby.
“So I expect them to give everything, which they did, and even when one was coming, it was for the team.
“And I’m hoping that even the following games are going to lean towards the heart part and grace more than the technical aspect, which was always the case with derbies.”
The victory over Richards Bay now gives Milford another derby to look forward to, with the Stallions set to face Durban City in the KZN Derby on Sunday.
Milford will be hoping to carry their momentum into that match and secure another victory before the FIFA international break, with the league set to pause after this weekend’s fixtures.
