Newly-promoted Milford FC head coach Dr Xanti Pupuma says someone in the team is going to pay for their missed penalty from their promotion playoffs match against Magesi FC.
Pupuma’s Stallions came from a goal down to hold Dikwena tṧa meetse to a 1-1 draw in the deciding match of the playoff at Seshego Stadium on Saturday.
The point ensured the KZN side finished top of the mini league with seven points and gained promotion to the Betway Premiership next season.
Milford had an earlier opportunity to get back into the game after Magesi took the lead in the 14th minute. They were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute which Cheswyn Philander squandered by hitting the crossbar. That meant they had to work harder to get the equaliser which eventually came off the boot of Menzi Chili.
Speaking to the media after the game, Dr Pupuma admitted it was an anxious moment for his side when they missed the spot kick. He added that a senior player should have taken responsibility instead of the 22-year-old Philander.
“Somebody is going to be punished for it,” said Dr Pupuma.
“And it’s not the penalty taker it’s the two senior strikers. The rule in the team is that the strikers take penalties no matter what.
“So, there were three of them on the field and they gave the youngest. So, I’m going to have to talk to them going forward.
“One of them is actually one of the captains, so why is he letting the small boy in such a big game take the penalty when his is coming back from an injury, I don’t know.
“But it’s part of football, I’ll probably just take R20 from their salaries, nothing much.”