Sundowns coach pleads for mental health reality check: 'We are dealing with a lot of things alone'

Mamelodi Sundowns' press conference took an unlikely turn when co-coach Rulani Mokwena dug deep to discuss mental health issues plaguing sports professionals and society.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Masandawana's Nedbank Cup Round of 16 encounter against Mathaithai FC on Tuesday, Mokwena addressed the seriousness around the mental health situation.

"We sit in a situation where we speak only about football during these engagements, but I would like the media to do a lot more speaking and investigation on the importance of mental health issues within our society and, in particular, how that affects performances at elite level," Mokwena said.

"I spoke earlier a little bit about a pandemic that could rear its ugly head in SA football, but there is one already raising its ugly head and is gaining momentum in society. It is a pandemic that is affecting the poor and the rich; it does not care about your gender, your skin colour or racial ethnicity - it attacks everybody.

"And that is depression. Depression is a topic that I think needs a lot more of our attention to try to fight this monster that is really raising its head.

"It is just a humble plea, and I make it because I always say that football is the most important of the least important things in life, and there are certain things that are more important in life, including life itself."

Black communities

Mokwena says that discussions need to take place regarding the issue as the coronavirus pandemic has taken more lives than expected, and outside of the virus itself, suicide deaths are on the rise in the country and globally.

The Sundowns mentor believes that the "stigma" is particularly high in "black communities" and that he is willing to go above and beyond to help bring