Fernandez Joins Orlando Pirates As The New Goalkeeper Coach

Orlando Pirates have parted ways with fitness trainer, Japhet Borges, and goalkeeper coach, Alexandre Revoredo, ahead of the 2015/16 season. Today Orlando Pirates is pleased to announce the appointment of Rowen Fernandez as the new Goalkeeper Coach.

The Mighty Buccaneers in an effort to bolster the Technical Team, have successfully endeavoured to gain the services of arguably one of the most successful and charismatic Goal Minders of his generation.

Spider comes with the reputation of not only having the ability to save penalties and accurate goal kicks, but he is also one of two South African born goalkeepers to have a successful international career, boasting a ten year stint in the Bundesliga as the number one Goalie for Arminia Bielefeld.

OPFC.com took the opportunity to speak to the man behind the reputation.Rowen fernandez dint hide his excitement about Joining Orlando Pirate “Firstly I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for me, Dr. Khoza has shown tremendous faith and confidence in my abilities by giving me a chance to be a Keeper Coach for a major Team like Orlando Pirates. “It’s my first official technical role in a club, I think for this season I am being registered as a Player Coach but focusing more on the coaching aspect of things and I have join Orlando Pirates”said Fernandez.

He further promised that he will use the experience he gained while working with Riener Dinkelacker the highely rated Kaizer Chiefs goal keeper coach. “I’m hoping to draw from the experiences of having worked with Riener Dinkelacker and Thomas Schlieck, they have been the two most highly respected goal keeper coaches in the world and I hope to draw back from the experiences of having worked with them and using the training that they gave me to impart my knowledge and experiences to up and coming goal keepers.”said Fernandez.

He did not hide that he always wished joining Orlando Pirates but the move did not happen in 2008. “This move has been a long time coming. A lot of people don’t know this but I was supposed to have joined Orlando Pirates in 2008 but the deal fell through and like the Chairman says all things happen on God’s time and not our time which is why I am happy to be finally here. So yeah I guess what I can say is that I am happy to be working for an African Football Giant in Orlando Pirates and I hope to leave a positive legacy during my stay with the Buccaneers” explained Rowen.

Fernandez was introduced to the Technical Team and the players this morning by the Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza along with the newly appointed Sports Scientist Warren Engelbrecht.