The Amakhosi netminder has also been using the time off to mull over the latest development's in his career, at the time of the PSL recess Rowen learnt that he had been ommitted from Ted Dumitru's final 26 man Bafana Bafana squad to do duty in the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Egypt from the 20th of January - 10th February. Rowen was initially included in a provisional 35 man squad announced by Dumitru in early December but was shocked by his ommission from the 26 man team which was announced on the 22nd December.

Speaking from the coast where he is on holiday with his family, Rowen described being at first "shocked" by his emission from the Bafana Bafan team, but has gradually come to terms with the fact that he will have to fight his way back into the national team.

"Obviously I was taken aback when I learnt that i was not going to Egypt, there was all this talk when Hans left that I was his natural successor, this has brought me back to the reality of soccer," answered Fernandez when questioned about his reaction to being left out of the national team by the former Kaizer Chiefs coach Ted Dumitru.

With all that has happened Rowen is confident that he has taken a lot out of what has happened to him over the past week and will use the PSL break with Chiefs to help himself regain form and his number one spot at Chiefs and Bafana Bafana.

"According to what i know we have some tough friendly games when we return to training in January against strong opposition. I will use those games to find my fitness and form and from there onwards i will propel myself forward when the PSL resumes and get back into the national team when qualifiers for the 2008 Nations Cup begin some time towards the end of 2006," added Rowen.

When questioned about being replaced initially by Emile Baron his daily competitor for the Chiefs starting spot in goal Rowen's swift answer was, "Emile and I have been through this at under-23 level with the national team, he has shown that he is a world-class goalkeeper and I have the utmost of respect for him."

Rowen also expressed shock at hearing that Emile made himself unavailable to travel to Egypt by retiring form the National team. "I have tried to call him but I have not got any response from him, I do hope that he thought this through carefully before making his decision. To be honest this his decison has caught me by surprise."

Rowen will return from his holiday at the begining of the New Year and will rest at home for the first week of 2006 before returning back to work at the Kaizer Chiefs Village on the 10th January when the first team resume training.