Milford FC are through to the Nedbank Cup semifinals, but Dr Xanti Pupuma isn't letting the hype distract from their promotion charge. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Milford FC chairman and coach Dr Xanti Pupuma was nonchalance personified following their progression to the Nedbank Cup semifinal, courtesy of a 3-2 shoot-out victory over Sekhukhune United on Saturday night. The game had ended 2-2 after extra time.
Granted, he had spent so much time celebrating with his team that he arrived late for the post-match media conference, which he claimed to know nothing about. But that delight had faded by the time he addressed the newshounds, with Pupuma refusing to be goaded into looking too far ahead at the gains the victory brings.
Now through to the penultimate stage of the country’s premier club knockout competition — the draw for which will be conducted this evening — Pupuma remained focused on the main objective of getting Milford promoted into the elite league.
The potential of winning the trophy and entering the CAF Confederation Cup was far from his mind, even as the media attempted to get him to entertain the thought.
“I actually haven't thought that far. But my goodness, I'm not sure I want to be there as the chairperson, because it means I have to use a lot of money,” he chuckled, in reference to the prospects of continental football participation.
“No, look, if it happens, it happens. I'm sure we'll find a way to address it. I don't want to think too much about winning the cup. Let's address the next opponent and see how that goes.”
He admitted, though, that Milford are having fun.
“It's very exciting to play cup football. I think it's a day that we generally enjoy, especially if we win. So for me, I'm happy. I'm happy for the boys. They get to experience this. Some of the boys signed with us when we were in a very, very low division.
"Some were only 16 or 17 but have now grown into men. For them to experience this with the badge is great. It's really satisfying for me.
"So, that is all. What we get after that — the money, the CAF participation and so on — that's just a bonus. We're already having fun.”
Their main focus, he insisted, remains gaining promotion into the elite league.
“The dream is to get to the PSL, really.
"I mean, winning a cup for anyone involved in sport is the ultimate goal, isn't it?
"So progressing and getting closer to actually winning the cup is a satisfaction. From that side, I'm happy. But the ultimate dream is to get into the PSL so we can enjoy playing against Sekhukhune United and all the teams that are there, week in and week out.”