‘No frustrations’: Why Milford’s Nedbank Cup exit is a win for Pupuma

Despite a gut-wrenching penalty shootout exit from the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, Milford FC head coach and owner Dr Xanti Pupuma remains optimistic about his side’s future, insisting that their performance against TS Galaxy proved they belong among the elite.

The Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit pushed the 2019 champions to the absolute limit at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday, eventually falling 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of gruelling football.

MILFORD COACH REFUSES TO DWELL ON CUP HEARTBREAK

Milford took a shocking early lead through Siphosethu Ndlabi and looked poised to claim another high-profile scalp before Victor Letsoalo’s second-half equaliser forced the game into extra time. Reflecting on the loss, Kwinda chose to focus on the character his young squad displayed rather than the result.

“I’m not really frustrated,” Dr Xanti Pupuma told reporters following the match. “To come to a venue like this and push a team of TS Galaxy’s calibre for 120 minutes shows the growth of this group. We played our football, we stuck to the plan, and sometimes the lottery of penalties just doesn’t go your way.”

For the KwaZulu-Natal-based side, the Nedbank Cup run has served as a massive confidence booster as they return their focus to the league. Pupuma. believes the lessons learned in the “David vs. Goliath” battles of the cup will be invaluable as they look to climb the NFD table.

“The boys showed strength in character to bounce back even when the pressure was high. We take the positives. We showed that we can compete, we can defend, and we can create chances against top-flight opposition,” he added.

While the dream of a cup final date with Durban City FC vanished in the shootout, the Milford mentor praised the tactical discipline of his defensive unit, which frustrated The Rockets for large portions of the game.

As the Stallions head back to the drawing board, Pupuma’s upbeat attitude signals a team that isn’t licking its wounds, but rather one that has tasted the big stage and is hungry for more.