Human Rues Coming Late To The Party

Attacking midfielder Rowan Human says the late burst of his form was because there was a lot to play for at his club Maritzburg United last season.

But sadly, it came a little too late as the Team of Choice were relegated via the playoffs, with Human giving his all by scoring three of the four goals the club scored in the mini-league.

He was also at his best in the controversial last game of the season against Mamelodi Sundowns by initiating moves and scooping the Man of the Match award at the end.

As his form came alive late last season, Human was called up for the Bafana COSAFA Cup squad that claimed the bronze medal, scoring the winning penalty against Malawi at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday to see Morena Ramoreboli’s side finish third in the overall tournament.      

“I felt like at that time there was everything to play for,” said Human of his burst of form with Maritzburg late last season.

“I’m not saying that during the league there wasn’t, I felt like my form came at that time in the season when the team needed it the most, not saying we didn’t need it in the league.

“But we were already in that situation (fighting for relegation) and I also told myself this is an opportunity to now throw everything at it, give your best for the team and see how far it goes.”

At Maritzburg, Human wore number 10 and also in the Bafana COSAFA Cup was also wearing the same number which indicates he has the potential to exceed the level he is at the moment.

Number 10 is a world-renowned number which was worn by some of the greatest footballers to ever play the game such as the late – Edson Arantes do Nascimento known as Pele, who is the only footballer to have won three World Cups, and Argentina’s Diego Maradona. Lionel Messi, who just like Maradona helped La Albiceleste to the World Cup title last year in Qatar, wore the same number.

Humans said the pressure to live up to this famous number is a stereotypical issue.

“I feel like there are stereotypes of the pressure of the number,” said Human.

“At the end of the day, whether you are wearing number 10, or number 2 on the field, if you know your potential and what you are capable of doing and you are doing it to the best of your ability, I feel you look past the number.

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“Because of the great players that have donned the number, history and currently, there is a responsibility on the number.

“But I feel if you focus on that, you won’t succeed in playing because you want to live up to another player instead of making your own name with the same number.”

It is highly unlikely Human will remain with Maritzburg United as AmaZulu have agreed to sign the player ahead of the 2023/24 season.