NEXTGEN BIDVEST WITS ACADEMY’S ROWAN HUMAN

BIDVEST WITS ACADEMY RISING STAR

ROWAN HUMAN

BY HAPPY MASANGO

At just 18 years, 11 months old, Bidvest Wits youngster Rowan Human became the third youngest player to play in the Absa Premiership this season after debuting against Stellenbosch in a 2 - 0 victory. The name Human has been on the lips of avid South African youth football followers for some time – after the holding midfielder created waves in junior football since the age of 14 and in the 2019/20 campaign which finally saw him earn his big break.

Born and bred in Westbury, a community ridden in crime, drugs and gangsterism – but with no shortage in footballing talent as Steven Pienaar can attest – Human has come through the highly successful Bidvest Wits academy and is now ready to shine in the big leagues. The Soccerzela team caught up with him and chatted about his academy life and most importantly, his transition into professional football.

Q: When did your passion for football begin? Was it always football for you?

A: It began when I was four years old. I played in one of the junior leagues in Westbury in under-6 and from there I fell in love with football. In primary school I played different sports. I played cricket, I played rugby, I even played water polo and hockey but I guess the love for football just kept me there and that was what I really wanted to do.

Q: How did you end up joining the Bidvest Wits academy?

A: I ended up joining the Bidvest Wits academy in under-13 in 2014. Before that I was playing for the Wits University juniors team in the age group above under-13. The under-13 Bidvest Wits academy coach called me to come play for his team, so then I joined Bidvest Wits and have been at the club ever since.

Q: Talk me through your academy experience? Did you board at the academy? What were some of the positives and negatives of academy life?

A: My academy experience? It’s been good. There’s also been bad times but we always look at the good things. I was a bit of a problem child in my peak teenage years at around 16 and 17. I lost my head a bit but luckily I had coach Dillon Sheppard who told me I should choose what it is I want and if it’s football, I should start respecting the game. I boarded at the academy when I turned 16. The

positives I can think of is that you live with different boys who come out of different homes and different provinces – you see what they want in life and it motivates you. Boys leave home at very young ages and come stay there to try make a living out of football. So that’s a positive I took away from the academy. I don’t think there’s any negatives apart from missing home. There’s a good atmosphere and brotherhood and it’s a good environment to be in.

Q: You’ve now made the step up from academy football to senior football. What would you say are some of the challenges you’ve faced during this transition?

A: When I was 16 and 17, I used to be a problem to coach Dillon Sheppard. As time went on, I realised that I can’t be shooting the people giving me the opportunity, in the foot. Coach Dillon took me from under-15 and made me play under-17 and he’s always been that extra leg for me. He kept me going and motivated me. He told me stories about players who

WE HAVE A GREAT BUNCH OF SENIOR PLAYERS WHO ALL MOTIVATE US YOUNGSTERS AND TRY TO MAKE US BETTER PLAYERS.

want to act rebellious but whose careers don’t actually work out. He’s been my pillar, has helped me go through all of these challenges. My challenge was that I wnated to be involved in the township. Together with friends I’d skip training to do this and make excuses – coach Dillon guided me through that phase – he’d tell me the life I craved would not pay my bills and would get me into trouble.

Q: What is it like working with coach Gavin Hunt?

A: I think it’s a good environment, he’s a great coach. He’s a winner and I think that’s what he instills in all of his players. He keeps the standards high. He’s a great man, knows what he wants and will do anything to get that out of you. He’s a coach who will push you and you just have to be strong and keep going. When he yells and shouts at you, he doesn’t want to put you down but rather knows you can do better.

Q: Who from the senior group of Wits players would you say helped you the most this season and how did they help you?

A: I think Brighton Mhlongo. I remember the first week training with the first team: the academy boys left in December for a break and I didn’t have transport. Brighton gave me a lift. He told me to keep pushing and never get distracted. Brighton has definitely been that senior player who has been there for me. We have our talks in the car and when I have a bad session, he tells me about my attitude and what I need to improve. We have a great bunch of senior players who all motivate us youngsters and try to make us better players. If they see we aren’t training at our best, they don’t shout at you, but rather come up to you nicely and tell you: ‘You need to be more hungry and need to adapt to the new level of football as it’s a big step up’.

Q: What are the long term goals for Rowan Human?

A: To do my best. I would like to play in Europe one day in one of the top five leagues. Represent and win the African Cup of Nations with and for Bafana Bafana. That’s what I dream of and what I’d like to achieve. I want to win titles and become a great player. I also want to give back to my community and the less fortunate create more opportunities for kids like me and to be an inspiration for them.

Q: Your favourite South African footballer?

A: Themba Zwane. He’s a great player. He reminds me a lot of Teko Modise. He’s skilful, he’s creative, he has vision, he’s a good passer of the ball and he’s just a complete midfielder.

Q: Your favourite International footballer?

A: I would say Messi but I like Ivan Rakitic more because of the way he plays his style of football. He’s a midfielder, as am I, so I try to watch him as much as I can. He’s a key contributor to his team. Ù