Why Mokwena Wants Barefooted Sundowns Stars

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says he advises his players to walk barefooted more often to keep their feet on the ground.

Mokwena has helped guide Sundowns to a record-breaking 15-match winning streak in the DStv Premiership this season and within the run, the emergence of Cassius Mailula has been one of the major talking points.

With nine goals and three assists in his first 15 competitive games for the club, plaudits are streaming in and when asked how Mokwena plans to keep the youngster from becoming big-headed within his meteoric rise – he was frank in his response.

“I just tell him to walk barefooted, like I tell most of my players, you know, serious talk – I tell them to take their shoes off and walk barefooted a lot, it helps, I do it myself… I do a lot of barefoot walking,” Mokwena said at the PSL headquarters on Monday morning.

“It helps with earthing, grounding and it’s important, it’s part of my routine and my advice to players that they must walk barefooted. It’s true, I’m not lying and you can do the research, it helps big time.

“Once you feel… my psychologist once told me you have to do it, and it helped me big time – so it’s the advice I give to players. It keeps you grounded, and connected, it’s a good thing.”

Sundowns are in action this evening when they face Richards Bay in their Nedbank Cup last-32 clash at Loftus Versveld.