“Ramadan is important to purify and to clean oneself as a Muslim,” reacts Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse about having to fast at the moment. “It’s also reminds us how poor people live and to respect religion.”

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.

During this period – which started this last week and will last until 17/18 July – Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. They refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking and engaging in sexual relations with one's spouse.

“I eat in the morning at 5:30,” adds Pieterse, who prays five times a day, “while the next meal only comes about 12 hours later.”

No easy task, especially as the Amakhosi squad is at present sometimes even training twice a day.

“It all makes me a better Muslim and therefore a better person,” concludes the goalkeeper.