'I tell him to walk barefoot': Sundowns coach Mokwena on keeping Mailula grounded

“It’s a part of my routine and it’s advice I give a lot to the players.”

Mokwena's admission drew a laugh from media who initially could doubted the seriousness of it. The coach, though, said he was serious and shared where he learned the trick.

“It’s true, you can do research about it. It helps big time,” he insisted. “My psychologist told me once that, ‘you have to do it’, and it helped me big time.

“It keeps you grounded, it keeps you connected to the ground. It’s a good thing.”

Sundowns begin their Nedbank Cup title defence against Richards Bay FC at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday night (7.30pm).

After that, Masandawana turn their focus to the Caf Champions League where their group stage campaign gets under way with a clash against Al-Hilal of Sudan at Loftus on Saturday.

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