Race hots up for Bafana Bafana attacker Rowan Human

By Mazola Molefe
16th July 2023

SABC Sport has established Bafana Bafana midfielder Rowan Human, who is part of the national team camp at the COSAFA Cup tournament concluding today in Durban, is set to leave Maritzburg United.

It has emerged Human is not expected to drop down to the lower leagues with the Team of Choice as the public broadcaster has gathered there’s serious interest from Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu, SuperSport United and Cape Town Spurs.

The 22-year-old joined Maritzburg from Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv two seasons ago but has always been on the radar of the Premier Soccer League’s traditional big three outfits.

Prior to moving abroad following the shock sale of Bidvest Wits, the midfielder was linked with a transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Despite Maritzburg getting relegated from the DStv Premiership at the end of May having finished behind Cape Town Spurs in the promotion play-offs, Human was almost ever-present for the side.

After a total of 31 matches, especially considering his age, it is no surprise his destination now lies elsewhere in topflight football next season.

Information gathered by SABC Sport here at the COSAFA Cup indicates Maritzburg are resigned to losing the player and begin life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship without his services.

Chiefs, Usuthu and SuperSport have all expressed a genuine interest and the next few days ahead of the 2023/24 season kick-off will be crucial in determining where Human, who featured in all of Bafana’s matches at the regional tournament, will land to continue his football career.

Bafana’s COSAFA Cup coach Morena Ramoreboli is among those who believe Human should not be playing in the second tier.

“To be honest, personally I believe that 90 percent of all the players at Maritzburg United do not deserve to go down – they were very good. It’s just unfortunate they’ve been relegated, you can see their professionalism from the few that are here with us and the talent,” he told the media.

“We haven’t been able to play Genino Palace, but I don’t think Human and the rest of the guys at Maritzburg should go play in the second division. They need one more chance in the league to prove their worth and how good they are.”