Transfer talk on hold as Milford FC chase promotion glory

The Stallions have enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign, sitting top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship – an automatic promotion spot – while also reaching the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Pupuma stressed that the immediate focus remains on securing the league title, despite growing attention around his squad.

"I'm not listening to anyone at the moment, and fortunately for me I am the coach and the chairman, so right now the focus is on getting the team promoted.

"Yes, for now we've got some really good players, but I'm hoping and praying the guys will give their respect and let us finish the season and then they can talk to me - I'm a listening person."

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Milford will have no time to cry over spilt milk given the quick turnaround in returning to action when they host Casric Stars, another side chasing promotion, on Wednesday at the Richards Bay Sport Complex.

Pupuma added that he strongly felt that The Stallions belong in the Betway Premiership having gone pound for pound with the topflight sides in the Nedbank Cup. 

"Promotion is the aim and it was the target from the very beginning. The fact that we're still in it toward the end of the season is a big motivation for us to continue fighting for promotion.

"If we can achieve promotion, that would really be it for us. We played against Sekhukhune and TS Galaxy, we play against some of the KZN clubs now and then, and we compete at that level."

The coach insists that Milford will run their own race – ignoring rivals Casric Stars, Cape Town City and Hungry Lions as the race for promotion heats up.