By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Milford FC have secured promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after playing to a 1-1 draw against Magesi FC in the final game of the promotion/relegation playoffs in Seshego, Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.
The stalemate guaranteed Milford the top spot at the conclusion of the promotional tournament and added another club from the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province.
Milford finished third in the Motsepe Foundation Championship two spots from the top and outright promotion which Kruger United ended up gaining at the end of last season.
The third-place finish granted them a spot in the play-offs along with second-place Cape Town City and the Premiership 15th place outfit Magesi, but in the end they proved superior with two wins, one draw and one loss from the four matches played.
Magesi took the lead through former Kaizer Chiefs forward Edmore Chirambadare, before Milford missed a penalty through Cheswyn Philander late in the first half.
However, the visitors managed to hit back through Menzi Chili on 59 minutes to reclaim top spot and confirm their PSL status.
For Magesi, it was the end of their dance in the PSL and bow out after battling against relegation for the better part of the 2025/26 season. After two terms in the top-flight, they go down with the 2024/25 Carling Knockout trophy.
Milford FC coach and owner Dr Xanti Pupuma said, “My aim is to allow them to grow into the structure.so, let’s see how it goes, I got other things to look at, my other job so I’m trying to balance things out because PSL is quite demanding. So, I will see what works for me and we’ll work it out.”