He REFUSES to step down from the coaching position of Miliford FC chairman, Dr Xanti Pupuma, who is its chairman.
Milford moved up to the Betway Premiership after drawing 1-1 with Magesi FC in the final match of the PSL Promotional Play-Offs at Seshego Stadium, Polokwane, on Saturday. It finished first with seven points, followed by Magesi with six in this log that had three teams. The last game was played and Cape Town City finished with only four points. Magesi, who finished 15th in the Premiership log, have been relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Milford’s promotion to the Premiership increased the number of teams in KwaZulu-Natal in this division. It joined AmaZulu, Richards Bay FC, Lamontville Golden Arrows and Durban City as Nedbank Cup champions.
Although this goes down well for KZN football fans and Pupuma who is a doctor, he has been faced with the difficult decision of whether to continue coaching or hire a coach to continue with this team he founded in 2012.
“We talked about it, we said let’s try another season so the boys can settle down. We are waiting for Mike (Michael Gumede) and Zane to come back, they are currently doing their studies. Well, we don’t want to bring someone from another place. My aim is to let them grow with the team because they understand what we are doing. Let’s see how it goes. I have other things I am looking at, my other job, children and so on but let’s see how it goes. IPSL needs more, so I will see what works for me,” he said. Pupuma in Supersport.
In the Milford scheme, there are a number of well-known players in KZN football who have not been able to play in the Premiership for years. Among these players is Menzi “Deco” Chili (33) from Ntuzuma who scored the goal that won the Stallions. Chili, who has returned from the Royal Eagles and Thongathi FC, was signed by Maritzburg United years ago but ended up playing in the DStv Diski Challenge scheme.
“Some of these boys have been hoping for a long time to play in Betway. Putting themselves there is a big thing, one of them scored a goal, I am very happy for them. I hope that we will be heard over there, and show the whole of South Africa what they have been missing,” said Pupuma.