Milford FC chairman and head coach Dr Xanti Pupuma has weighed in on his future as the club’s mentor after securing a historic promotion to the Betway Premiership.
Dr Pupuma, a practising gynaecologist who balances his medical profession with running the KwaZulu-Natal-based club, successfully guided his side to the elite league on Saturday afternoon. The promotion was secured following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Magesi FC in their final PSL Promotional/Relegation Playoffs fixture at Seshego Stadium.
The Stallions entered the encounter needing just a single point to seal promotion to South Africa’s top flight, while Magesi required an outright victory to retain their Betway Premiership status.
Following the hard-fought draw, Milford finished at the summit of the mini-log standings with seven points from four matches—two points clear of the second-placed Limpopo side. The result also sees Milford make history by sealing promotion to the elite league for the very first time.
DR XANTI PUPUMA ON HIS FUTURE AHEAD OF BETWAY PREMIERSHIP CAMPAIGN
Speaking after the historic achievement, Dr. Pupuma acknowledged that because the club is a family business, he will need to hold discussions with his family regarding his dual roles. This ensures that neither his medical responsibilities nor the club’s top-flight campaign will be compromised.
“Well, we are going to sit and talk with my leaders there,” Dr Pupuma told journalists. “So, we will see what’s best for me ahead of the upcoming season in the top flight, as I have another job.
“I don’t want to compromise the team or my other job. Since we are going to discuss it, we will see if it’s doable, and if it is, we will go through with it.”
Milford’s promotion brings the number of KwaZulu-Natal teams in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership to five.
The province will be heavily represented in the elite league next season, with Milford joining Durban City FC, Richards Bay FC, Golden Arrows, and AmaZulu FC.
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