A performance note worthy of winning any game was what Rowen Fernandez displayed when Chiefs won the ABSA Cup back in May defeating arch rivals Orlando Pirates in the process, as the club won the title for the first time in six years. Having had the better part of the last month off - Rowen has spent the time relaxing at his home in Benoni East of Johannesburg by watching the FIFA World Cup as he prepares for the season ahead.

Such has been the Chiefs goalkeepers anxiousness to start the new season that he has been working hard in the off season to stay in shape, as he wishes to be at the top of his game when pre-season training begins on Monday.

Rowen known for his well timed and effectively executed ball distribution is looking forward to the new season, with one particular prospect making the season ahead a very exciting one.

“When I heard that Shaun Bartlett signed for us, I at first thought it was a joke and then when I got the information that it was actually correct I was very happy,” said Rowen.

Given Bartlett’s track record at club and international level Rowen feels he will be a major asset to Amakhosi “Shaun is a quality striker and a great team player - his experience and ability to score goals will make us a real threat in the new campaign.

Having him to target upfront will make a number of defenders nervous because (and with the addition of Papi Zothwane and Siyabonga Nkosi) we have a well balanced team that can challenge for all titles on offer” added Fernandez.

Having assumed pop star status after his ABSA Cup heroics, Rowen is well aware of the pressure on him and the team to put in a big performance in the up coming season, “after the ABSA Cup I could not believe how people praised my performance, I was really flattered. When I go out to play I give whatever I have got and just as any of the other guys in the team, I do my best to ensure the opposition don’t get a sniff of goal.

When you play like that once then people expect you do that week in and week out -there can be no room for error” says Rowen.

The Chiefs number one knows that consistency is the key to ensuring that when the end of the season comes your team is at the top “the league championship can be likened to a marathon you need to pace yourself well in the beginning to ensure you finish with a flourish, if we start off well we will end strong”.

Chiefs resume pre-season training on Monday and have a rigorous training programme to get the players back to full match fitness before Chiefs participate in a number of pre season tournaments which will hopefully culminate with the annual Telkom Charity spectacular on the 5th August, Rowen is of the opinion that playing and defeating Manchester United on the 18th July in Cape Town will help set the tone for the forthcoming season.

It should help propel Chiefs to a third PSL title in the same way that Chiefs participation in the 2003 Peace Cup against a top opposition laid the foundation for Chiefs to win the 2003 – 2004 PSL Title. Playing against world class opposition like Manchester United will help Chiefs raise their game and hopefully the PSL Trophy next May.