Sunday will be D-Day for the KwaZulu-Natal side Milford FC as they look to secure a place in the PSL promotion/relegation playoffs.
Milford, who were once top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship standings, will travel to face Hungry Lions FC at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium on Sunday in their final match of the 2025/26 Motsepe Foundation Championship season.
The club needs just a point to qualify for the playoffs. Milford currently sit second on the table with 53 points after 29 matches, two points ahead of third-placed Cape Town City FC, who will visit Leicesterford City at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.
“I think the players know there is nothing else I can do to motivate them,” said coach Xanti Pupuma, whose side reached the Nedbank Cup semi-finals this season before losing to TS Galaxy, on the club’s website.
“The importance of the whole season comes down to this game. Maybe at the beginning of the season, if we had been offered this opportunity, we would probably have taken it.
“It is a nice challenge because it is in our hands. It does not depend on anyone doing us favours — we just have to take care of our own game.
“We know we will be fine.”
While Milford battle for a playoff place, Kruger United FC have already secured automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership next season after guaranteeing a top-place finish with a few games to spare.
Milford will head into the clash against Hungry Lions as favourites, having beaten them in their last three meetings without conceding a goal.
However, Pupuma insists that the record will count for nothing on Sunday.
“Hungry Lions are a completely different animal, especially with their pacey forwards,” he said.
“But from a confidence perspective, those results do play a big role, especially the clean sheets. I think the guys have done well throughout the season.
“Maybe everything is finally coming together because we do need a good run, especially if we win or draw this weekend and then prepare mentally for the playoffs.
“At this stage, it is all about collecting points.”
