Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Rulani Mokwena Discusses Alcohol Use by Footballers With Robert Marawa

• For a long time, South African football has had a serious problem of alcohol abuse among players
• Recently, Mamelodi Sundowns made the news after two of its players allegedly arrived drink to practice
• Coach Rulani Mokwena has had his say on the harmful practice

Mamelodi Sundowns has provided his thoughts on alcohol abuse by South African footballers.

This comes in the wake of two Sundowns players Sipho Mbule and Andile Jali allegedly arriving to practice recently.

Mokwena said to Robert Marawa on Marawa Sports Worldwide:

Football is a reflection of our society. We have issues with alcohol and substance. This is going to be reflected in football in football because football is not an escape from society.

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"Before you speak about them [players] as professionals, you speak about them as human beings and the challenge is that many a human being faces challenges on the street are the same that footballer faces. It's a reflection of society."

Modabi admits playing while drunk

Former Premier Soccer League football player, Gerald Modabi told an anecdote for the ages.

The ex-Orlando Pirates and Dynamos midfielder added humour to the dark aspects of 'alcohol culture', which affects many current and former players in South Africa and beyond.

In the middle of a discussion on SuperSport's absorbing talk show Sitting With Stan, Robert Marawa asked Modabi if he once played under the influence, which the player confirmed.

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Mthokozisi Yende disappeared off the face of the local football world, without any explanation or warning.

The talented left-footed midfielder gained attention for his exploits at what was an exciting University of Pretoria team at the end of the 2000s, before Kaizer Chiefs swooped in on him among many prestigious suitors.

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Somewhere along the line, however, his career slowed down, before it ended abruptly while he still had mileage in his legs. The 38-year-old believes an off-field indiscretion is to blame.

Ex-Chiefs striker exposes 'alcohol culture'

Former Kaizer Chiefs sharpshooter, Leonardo Castro has said there was a problematic culture of drinking at the club, which still permeates South African football.

The Colombian was one of many players like Daniel Cardoso, Bernard Parker, Lebogang Manyama and Ramahlwe Mphahlele to be shown the door by the Amakhosi in a club overhaul last season. Cardoso recently claimed some players arrived drunk to practices.

Troublesome ex-Chiefs star Dumisani Zuma was suspended toward the end of 2001, after being arrested for drunk driving.