MILFORD FC looking to secure their play-offs spot as they stand to finish second in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Image: MFC/Facebook
Milford FC may be just one result away from completing a remarkable journey to the Betway Premiership, but team manager Sphethu Pupuma says celebrations are on hold until the job is fully done.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit took a massive step towards promotion with their victory over Magesi FC in the PSL Promotional play-offs, putting themselves firmly in control heading into a decisive clash against Cape Town City on Saturday. After two games, Milford top the mini-league in the playoffs with six points.
For a club that has steadily climbed through South African football's ranks, the prospect of reaching the top flight has generated understandable excitement. Yet within the Milford camp, the message remains clear: the mission is not complete.
"We were obviously excited with the win yesterday," said Pupuma."
There is some excitement about playing in the PSL and a dream of our chairman which is coming true. But we have one task left and that's Cape Town City on Saturday. It's back to work for us from today. Back to refocusing. We can celebrate if we win there.
"Milford's rise has been one of the stories of the season. A club that was competing in the amateur structures not long ago now stands on the brink of competing against South Africa's biggest teams on a weekly basis.That possibility has become a powerful source of motivation for the squad.
"The belief of this dream coming true is what motivates us," Pupuma explained.
"A few of our players have been in the amateur league for such a long time. The fact that the PSL is so close now is motivation enough for us. The boys have the energy for this last push."
While the result against Magesi strengthened Milford's position, Pupuma insists there is still room for improvement before the season-defining encounter against Cape Town City.
Pupuma said that fighting spirit that has carried Milford through the campaign and into touching distance of a historic achievement and what would be their first ever PSL promotion.
Now everything comes down to one final challenge. Victory against Cape Town City would complete a remarkable journey and secure Milford's place among South African football's elite.
For now, however, dreams of the Betway Premiership remain exactly that, dreams. Milford know they are only 90 minutes away from making them a reality, but as Pupuma and his players understand, the final step is often the hardest.
They go up against a dejected Cape Town City who have lost both games so far in the mini-league.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch