Rowen Fernandez
Encyclopedia
Rowen Fernández is a South Africa
n footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper
for Supersport United in the South African Premier Soccer League
, as well as the South African national team
. He is known for his ability to save penalties and his accurate goal kicks.
in 2001 along with midfielder Stanton Fredericks
. Fernández was to be an understudy to Brian Baloyi
, who was on the verge of landing a lucrative contract in Europe.
Fernández initially struggled to break into the first team, as Baloyi put up solid performances week in and week out. The big break finally came, when he made his debut Vodacom Challenge
against Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak at Royal Bafokeng Stadium
on 30 June 2001. Chiefs won the game 2–0. He made his PSL debut for Chiefs in a 2–1 win against Classic
on 22 August 2001.
"Spider", as he is known due to his amazing love for creepy crawlies (snakes and spiders), was hospitalized in April 2003 after he was bitten by one of his spiders. He had also battled to command a first team place in the same season and only got a run in the 5–0 ABSA Cup first round victory against Sporting at Ellis Park
.
However, the 2003–04 season started off very well for Fernández who was handed the number one jersey as Baloyi struggled with a niggling injury.
The former national under-23 star began his playing career at Benoni amateur side Benoni Northerns before joining Wits where he caught the eye of the under-23 selectors. He has six under-23 caps under his belt.
During the 2006–2007 season he scored two goals.
He kicked his way into the history books in February 2007 when he pounced on the rebound, after Brian Baloyi of Mamelodi Sundowns
could only parry his retaken spot kick and knocked the ball home from close range. The fact that Rowen had missed the kick and scored on the rebound meant that his thirty second minute equalizer against Sundowns was not classified as a penalty, but instead it was recorded as a goal scored from open play. The other goal resulted from a spot kick in a match against his former club Wits in September 2006.
He made his full international debut in a 2–0 win against Tunisia
in August 2004. He had hoped to be a part of his country's squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
to be held in South Africa, but was omitted from the final 23 by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira
in favour of Itumeleng Khune
, Moeneeb Josephs
and Shu-Aib Walters
.
Bundesliga
side Arminia Bielefeld
in June 2007 on a free transfer after being out of contract with Chiefs to team up with former Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp
who then coached Arminia. Fernández lost his place as first choice goalkeeper to Dennis Eilhoff
after injury. On 1 January 2011, during the January transfer window, Fernández left Arminia Bielefeld for SuperSport United
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
for Supersport United in the South African Premier Soccer League
Premier Soccer League
Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa. The top league is the ABSA Premiership, sponsored by ABSA...
, as well as the South African national team
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
. He is known for his ability to save penalties and his accurate goal kicks.
Kaizer Chiefs
Following a great season with The Students, Fernández was signed by Kaizer Chiefs from Wits UniversityWits University Football Club
Wits University Football Club, known under their sponsored title as Bidvest Wits, is a South African football team based in Johannesburg...
in 2001 along with midfielder Stanton Fredericks
Stanton Fredericks
Stanton "Stiga" Fredericks is a South African football player who plays as midfielder for Bidvest Wits in the Premier Soccer League and has previously represented South Africa....
. Fernández was to be an understudy to Brian Baloyi
Brian Baloyi
Brian Baloyi is a retired South African football goalkeeper.Baloyi made his professional debut in 1993. He joined league rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in 2004 after playing for Kaizer Chiefs for over a decade...
, who was on the verge of landing a lucrative contract in Europe.
Fernández initially struggled to break into the first team, as Baloyi put up solid performances week in and week out. The big break finally came, when he made his debut Vodacom Challenge
Vodacom Challenge
The Vodacom Challenge is a association football pre-season tournament that features Vodacom-sponsored South African giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs plus from 2006 onwards an invited European club...
against Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak at Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is a football, rugby and athletics stadium in Phokeng near Rustenburg, South Africa It was built and is managed by the Royal Bafokeng Nation.. It is used as the home stadium for Premier Soccer League club Platinum Stars...
on 30 June 2001. Chiefs won the game 2–0. He made his PSL debut for Chiefs in a 2–1 win against Classic
Maritzburg United
Maritzburg United is a South African football club based in the city of Pietermaritzburg that currently competes in the Premier Soccer League.-Notable former coaches: Gordon Igesund Ernst Middendorp Trott Moloto Kosta Papic Boebie Solomons...
on 22 August 2001.
"Spider", as he is known due to his amazing love for creepy crawlies (snakes and spiders), was hospitalized in April 2003 after he was bitten by one of his spiders. He had also battled to command a first team place in the same season and only got a run in the 5–0 ABSA Cup first round victory against Sporting at Ellis Park
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's...
.
However, the 2003–04 season started off very well for Fernández who was handed the number one jersey as Baloyi struggled with a niggling injury.
The former national under-23 star began his playing career at Benoni amateur side Benoni Northerns before joining Wits where he caught the eye of the under-23 selectors. He has six under-23 caps under his belt.
During the 2006–2007 season he scored two goals.
He kicked his way into the history books in February 2007 when he pounced on the rebound, after Brian Baloyi of Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns are a South African football club that plays in the Premier Soccer League.Since 2003, Sundowns are owned by rand billionaire Patrice Motsepe....
could only parry his retaken spot kick and knocked the ball home from close range. The fact that Rowen had missed the kick and scored on the rebound meant that his thirty second minute equalizer against Sundowns was not classified as a penalty, but instead it was recorded as a goal scored from open play. The other goal resulted from a spot kick in a match against his former club Wits in September 2006.
He made his full international debut in a 2–0 win against Tunisia
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
in August 2004. He had hoped to be a part of his country's squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
to be held in South Africa, but was omitted from the final 23 by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira
Carlos Alberto Parreira
Carlos Alberto Gomes Parreira is a Brazilian former football manager. He managed Brazil to championships at the 1994 World Cup, the 2004 Copa América, and the 2005 Confederations Cup...
in favour of Itumeleng Khune
Itumeleng Khune
Itumeleng Khune is a South African footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League, as well as the South African national team. He has the nickname: "The Koon"...
, Moeneeb Josephs
Moeneeb Josephs
Moeneeb Josephs , is a South African soccer goalkeeper who plays for Orlando Pirates and South Africa.Josephs is a highly-rated goalkeeper in South Africa...
and Shu-Aib Walters
Shu-Aib Walters
Shu-Aib Walters is a South African soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Maritzburg United in the Premier Soccer League.-Personal life:...
.
Arminia Bielefeld
Rowen Fernández joined GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
side Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
in June 2007 on a free transfer after being out of contract with Chiefs to team up with former Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp
Ernst Middendorp
Ernst Middendorp is a German football manager.- Career :Middendorp coached the South African Castle Premiership team Kaizer Chiefs from the beginning of the 2005/06 season up to March 5, 2007....
who then coached Arminia. Fernández lost his place as first choice goalkeeper to Dennis Eilhoff
Dennis Eilhoff
Dennis Eilhoff is a German football goalkeeper who plays in 2nd Bundesliga for Dynamo Dresden.-Youth:...
after injury. On 1 January 2011, during the January transfer window, Fernández left Arminia Bielefeld for SuperSport United
Supersport United
SuperSport United is a South African football club based in Pretoria that plays in the Premier Soccer League.The club was originally known as Pretoria City. City was purchased by M-Net in 1994. M-Net got approval from the National Soccer League and the club was renamed.United is known as...
.