Motsepe Foundation Championship side Milford FC have been placed in a difficult position in their ambitions for the Nedbank Cup run with the ongoing Royal AM debacle front and centre.
Giant slayers in the previous season after beating Kaizer Chiefs in the last 32 of the Ke Yona competition, the second-tier side remains in the dark about the scheduled meeting with Thwihli Thwahla this time around.
The two teams were originally scheduled to meet on January 29 in Pietermaritzburg but that wasn’t possible after the PSL suspended Royal AM from participating in any competition with their ongoing financial troubles.
The penalty that sealed a famous victory for Milford. 💯
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴. 👏 #NedbankCuppic.twitter.com/ZGOLK3SpAO
The Pietermaritzburg-based outfit has not participated in a league match since a 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy on December 29. As it stands, Royal AM remain suspended from the PSL, leaving the future of the club hanging in the balance.
Reports suggest the club could face expulsion from the top flight of South African football, if they aren't able to financially prove their readiness to finish the campaign. However, with the round of 16 fixtures of the Nedbank Cup commencing this week, interest is growing around the league’s impending decision regarding Royal AM.
With a conclusion yet to be reached, Milford remains in confusion regarding who they’ll face next after the winner between them and Royal AM are scheduled to play 2023 finalist Sekhukhune in the next round on Saturday.
🔴 Breaking.
PSL now likely to expel Royal AM following no guarantees the club can get its house in order for the reminder of the season.
Full details. #sabcsport411
https://t.co/PhTXlMFIpi
Speaking to Independent Newspaper exclusively, the club’s chairman Dr Xanti Pupuma bemoaned the difficulties his club is facing as a result of ongoing confusion. He revealed that with their round of 16 fixture only days away, they are yet to receive any communication regarding who they will face or whether their game will go on.
“We’re still in limbo and we don’t know much about the situation just like everyone else and it’s a very awkward position to be in,” he said.
“We’re supposed to be playing this week but we’re not sure whether we will play or who we will have to play so that makes our preparations very difficult. We have been trying to motivate the group to retain their focus so whoever we play, we will be ready for them.”
Milford are also fourth on their league standings and are one of the teams vying for promotion this season. The Stallions may have to juggle a rescheduled fixture or even face the worst-case scenario of playing Royal AM before going on to face Babina Noko if they win.
“We have a league campaign that we also need to focus on because we’ve done really well up to this point and the nature of our situation is going to somewhat push us into a situation where we have to prioritize one or the other.”