The KwaZulu-Natal outfit marked their top-flight debut with a defeat to the Buccaneers, leaving them at the foot of the Betway Premiership table without a point after the opening round of fixtures.
Despite the result, Pupuma was encouraged by his players' attitude and their willingness to compete against one of the league's strongest sides.
"I think, more than anything, it was the mentality and the fact that we refused to be intimidated," he said after the game.
"I already know the guys can play, and I trust they can play better than they did on Saturday. Our rotations and the way we occupied the midfield, trying to overload certain areas as we had planned, were positive."
Pupuma added that his side's pre-seasons is delayed, hence they did not do some of the things right. But he is confident that they will get better.
"Our pressing was not up to scratch, but we're still effectively in the middle of our pre-season because we started late. I think over the next few games we'll improve in that area," he concluded.
Milford will now turn their attention to their next assignment as they look to claim their first-ever Betway Premiership points when they host Siwelele on 12 August.
