How Milford FC boss Dr Xanti Pupuma plotted Kaizer Chiefs’ downfall

Pupuma, who engineered the 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Amakhosi at FNB Stadium on Sunday evening, says he was a staunch Chiefs fan before his team became a fully professional side in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). 

But last night they showed no mercy to his once beloved team, as he took pride in their achievement of progressing to the last 16.

"I'd say I'm a football fan more than a Chiefs fan. Yes, I grew up following Kaizer Chiefs, just like I grew up in an environment where a certain party was the majority [supported] party, from a political point of view," said Pupuma.

"Later on in life, things change, you grow a little bit older and [there are] new developments around you, so it's impossible that I would have a team and be a fan of another team – even worse so when we bought the professional status.

"So, really, I had to be aligned and show that I put all my energy towards Milford Football Club, which is what I think we are doing as a family, and make no mistake about it – no one is hurt at home right now, it's absolutely crazy."

In their maiden PSL season after they bought the status of Tongaat FC, Milford have one step further in the Ke Yona tournament after previously losing in the last 32 to Golden Arrows back in 2016. 

Pupuma has experience of coaching in this competition, and shares how they masterminded this historic cup upset.

"We came in and we were just solid enough, trying to work on the counter; when we could keep the ball, we kept the ball and tried to penetrate," detailed the coach.

"[Not] how we normally play, but this being a cup game, you always want to take a bit of risk here and there, and I think in the first half there were moments where we were a little bit fortunate, we couldn't really get the balance going so they stretched us a little bit.

"But we brought in some boys during half-time to stabilise the midfield more so, and I think from there it was just anybody's game."

READ: Cavin Johnson laments Kaizer Chiefs' missed chances vs Milford FC