Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Rowen "Spider" Fernandez is hoping a speedy resolution to his new contract with Amakhosi will enable him to focus on his career.

Fernandez and Chiefs have confirmed that contract talks resumed on Friday after a deadlock on Wednesday.

Friday's resumption in talks came a day after Amakhosi announced the keeper was on his way to Mamelodi Sundowns in a three-year deal worth R10 million.

Fernandez's contract expires at the end of the season.

"I have never spoken to Sundowns, or anybody at the club, for that matter. I deny any move, I'm committed to Chiefs," Fernandez said yesterday.

"The whole thing is causing problems for me, supporters think that I [deliberately] let in the two goals against AmaZulu on Saturday [Chiefs lost the match 2-1].

"I'm a professional, I will never do such a thing. We are hoping to continue talking to Chiefs this week with the hope to resolving the matter.

"I still want to play for Chiefs in the new season."

Fernandez joined Amakhosi from neighbours Wits University - now Bidvest Wits - in 2000.

Thebe Mohatle, Chiefs' spokesman, said Fernandez's future with the club is expected to be finalised today. The matter is on the agenda for a management meeting.

"Both parties met to resolve the impasse after Rowen had been linked to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns for a record R10 million offer."

Chiefs' announcement that Fernandez was on his way to Chloorkop seemed not to have gone down well with Sundowns' management. It prompted Sundowns' president Patrice Motsepe to address a hastily arranged media briefing on Saturday to reject the claims.

Downs vehemently denied talking to Fernandez, but Chiefs' chairman Kaizer Motaung said Motsepe confirmed their interest to his son, team manager Bobby, on Wednesday.

Motsepe was quoted by Sunday World yesterday as having said "I told [Bobby] Motaung we were not interested in the keeper", and that "I also indicated we should keep quiet about it".

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