Milford coach questions officiating in Sundowns defeat

02.09.26 FT South African Betway Premiership

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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Milford FC

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Milford FC head coach Dr. Xanti Pupuma has voiced his displeasure with the officiating in their 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in a Betway Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night.

The newly promoted outfit succumbed to goals from Iqraam Rayners and Antonio Van Wyk in either half, which saw their three-game unbeaten run come to an end, as they sit fifth on the log standings with seven points accumulated.

Pupuma has questioned the officiating in the game, with the Brazilians' opening goal the subject of controversy as Aubrey Modiba appeared to push Vusumuzi Mthabela from behind, before setting up Rayners on the stroke of half-time.

“Even before that [goal], the goalkeeper [Ronwen Williams] went down and one of the players is supposed to go out for a minute and now all of a sudden there's an explanation to why the player is not going out,” bemoaned the Milford boss.

"And then obviously the goal, how does someone come from behind and collapses, unless now Fana [Vusumuzi Mthabela] has now developed epilepsy then he suddenly developed a seizure or something.

"But like I said, it's football, we're going to go past it, they scored and they won 2-0. It's not going to change, we're going to go back [to the drawing board] and work on the positives and try to win the game on the weekend.

Despite surrendering maximum points, the KwaZulu-Natal-born mentor sees a silver in the manner in which his troops gave the African champions a run for their money, and acknowledges they need to polish their cutting edge in the final third.

“It's very motivating and I think that's what we're going to take back, that we can actually compete with almost everyone. We've played Orlando Pirates, now we played Sundowns and we didn't disappoint ourselves,” Pupuma added.

"And of the games that we've played, especially the home games, we have managed to get points on board. So, for us, being the new kids on the block, being the team that qualified through the playoffs, I really think we're doing okay.

"Obviously, we have to work on the final third. The difference between where we're coming from and the PSL is that if you miss your chances and not use your opportunities, the other team is going to get one or two and that's the end of it.

"So, we really have to focus on the final third, improve our play, how we occupy it and the finishing.

Milford will be looking to get back to winning ways when they visit Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday, with the Chilli Boys desperately in search of their first win of the 2026/27 campaign.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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