Maidstone United forward Mo Faal speaks about the challenges of playing football while fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan

Maidstone United striker Mo Faal has told of the mental and physical challenges for a footballer observing Ramadan.

Faal, a practising Muslim, cannot eat or drink during daylight hours under the rules of the holy month.

Ramadan began on Wednesday last week and is set to finish on March 18/19.

It’s a hugely important time for Faal to connect with his faith, albeit not easy for a professional footballer.

The forward drew on his reserves to score Maidstone’s 60th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Dorking on Saturday.

It was his first Stones goal since rejoining the club in January and a vital strike as George Elokobi’s side took a point off the National League South leaders.

“If I can say, when I’m eating and drinking, that I’m 100 per cent, I’d probably say fasting depletes about half of you, at least,” said Faal, 28.

“When you start running around, it’s really tough, I won’t lie.

“By half-time I was really tired and usually that’s not me, I can last the 90 quite well.

“So it takes a lot out of you, it’s a big mental challenge.

“Around 45/50 minutes I was telling myself ‘keep going, you’ve got a lot more in you’ even if I knew I had nothing left.

“But I think that’s also what Ramadan is all about, pushing your mental barriers, seeing that your body can do more, and me telling myself I can do more led to me staying on and scoring a goal.

"Hopefully, during Ramadan, and after it, I will see the benefits.”

Faal, who’s set to face former club Enfield Town at the Gallagher Stadium tonight, opened up on a typical day during Ramadan as he balances his faith with football.

It involves an early start to eat before sunrise and he’ll try to catch some more sleep before heading to the Gallagher.

“For me, a day is waking up at