It came as a surprise to many when Rowen Fernandez left Wits University and joined Kaizer Chiefs two years ago. While with the ‘Students’, Fernandez was considered one of the country’s rising stars and a move to Chiefs to be Brian Baloyi’s deputy seemed a step in the wrong direction for the youngster. Baloyi, at the time, was an institution at Chiefs - not likely to leave and in the type of form to suggest he would never lose the number one jersey.

Fernandez seemed destined for a place warming the bench, and as last season unfolded it seemed he had made the wrong choice as he was rarely given the chance in the starting line up. Fernandez had played well in the final against Black Leopards, only for the coach to bow to pressure from the stands and replace him with Baloyi for the penalty shoot out. Baloyi won the game for Chiefs, labelling Fernandez as ‘not good enough in a pressure situation’ in the eyes of the fans.

A car accident and a spider bite kept Fernandez out of contention for a place in the starting line up and it seemed only a matter of time before he would part ways with the club.

But the arrival of Ted Dumitru at Naturena breathed life back into his career. Dumitru believed in rotating his squad members, something which presented Fernandez with opportunities he had rarely enjoyed. With Baloyi injured and at times off form, Fernandez has filled his role as deputy with aplomb to the extent that he is now considered Baloyi’s equal.

What went wrong last season?

Things just didn’t go well for me. I had a car accident and was then bitten by a spider, things which kept me on the sidelines. I was not given the chance to show my ability and there was a stage where I spent 21 consecutive games sitting on the bench. I was constantly told that I must just be patient and that my chance will come but it never did.

It was really frustrating because I also had the opportunity to go to other clubs like SuperSport United and Sundowns. Roger (De Sa), who was against my move from Wits in the first place, was also saying I should come play for him again but Chiefs wouldn’t let me go. If you go to training and don’t play, the goals you set for yourself change because you keep thinking about other things.

Things changed when Ted arrived...

Not initially. You must remember that he took over a squad that was relatively unknown to him. When we went to South Korea for the Peace Cup, Brian (Baloyi) played the first game but got injured and I played well in the other two games.

But that did not secure my place, as Ted knew Brian was the first choice keeper and I was the backup. On that basis Brian was obviously given more chances. But what Ted did make clear was that he was keen on using a rotation system with the squad, which meant that no one was a certainty and, depending on the opposition, any player could be used. That gave me encouragement. Things have changed and we are now on an even footing.

The coach actually told us that as long as his keepers are on top form he will keep rotating them until the one drops form, then we will know who is the first choice goalkeeper. It’s fair to say that at the moment we are both the number one keeper.

Are you happy with your form?

Compared to last season, this one is unbelievable. The way things are going it’s very encouraging. During my first season when I came here I was conceding stupid goals and I was getting blamed for goals being conceded even if I wasn’t involved. Last season I only played two games. This season I have conceded one goal in ten games and I am pushing that record set by Wayne Roberts (Wits) and people must take note.

Any specific areas of your game that still need your attention?

A keeper can always improve whether it’s in handling crosses, distribution, commanding his area or communication with his defenders. If there is anything, handling crosses has been my weak point and I am not afraid to admit that. But this season I have improved and I have more confidence going out for the ball than I did in the past. My ability to kick the ball outfield has also improved making me more effective offensively.

What has been your best game so far this season?

When we played against Ajax in the league and beat them 1-0 I felt I had a good game. I made some good saves and my distribution was also spot on. Against Black Leopards we won

5-0 and I set up two goals through my clearances and made a couple of good saves and kept a clean sheet. Those are the two games that stand out for me.

Which game would you like to forget?

It has to be the one against Golden Arrows in Durban when we drew 1-1. That’s the only goal I have conceded this season. If I could take that goal away I would have a clean record.

Chiefs have conceded the least number of goals so far. What would you attribute that to?

The defence is communicating a lot better now. There’s reliable cover if Fabian (McCarthy) makes a mistake Patrick (Mabedi) is always there to clean up. The defenders are working well as a unit and that makes my job of keeping the shots out easier.

Some papers and magazines have drawn comparisons between yourself and Brian. How does that affect your relationship?

Brian and I get along very well and we even play golf together. I personally think we are two totally different keepers. My style differs from his. Mine is more attack orientated where I can knock the ball to the strikers with my distribution whereas Brian prefers slow build-ups from the back.

Brian is a good keeper and you cannot take that away from him. I was reading somewhere that he has the most clean sheets in the league and that’s an incredible record. With me I am still starting out. I have been in professional football for seven years but haven’t played too many games.

Who do you rate as the best attacking player in the league?

I’m glad I’m playing for Chiefs because I would not like to come up against Shoes (Moshoeu). The guy is unbelievable and is defying all the odds. At 38 he is still running like a teenager and he must be putting a lot of youngsters to shame. He is the form player at the moment and someone you can’t defend against.

As for an out and out striker I rate Shaun Permall (Swallows) and Patrick Mayo. I have played with both and they can finish with both legs, they are good in the air and always composed in the box.

At this stage of the campaign who do you see as possible threats in the championship race?

Ajax Cape Town is looking good at the moment. Santos, Wits and Swallows will also be there. But now it’s the crucial stage of the campaign as the top teams are taking points from each other. The vital games will be when the top teams meet each other. If we remain consistent and worry about what we are doing, then we will win the league.