Rene Simoes

RENE SIMOES returns to Jamaica today to begin his second term as technical director of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

The Brazilian is scheduled to touch down at the Norman Manley International Airport today shortly after 12:30 in the afternoon. An hour later, he is scheduled to address local media at a press conference that will be held at the airport's VIP Lounge.

He will be accompanied by JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, who left the island for Brazil earlier this week.

It was Burrell who first brought the Brazilian to Jamaica in November 1994 when the Reggae Boyz began their Road to France campaign, which targeted qualifying for the World Cup Finals in France.

First qualifier

That became a reality when Jamaica drew its last qualifying game against Mexico at the National Stadium, to secure a first- ever World Cup Finals berth.

Simoes left Jamaica shortly after failing to lead the team to successive World Cup Finals in early 2000.

Simoes' major goal this time will be geared towards qualifying Jamaica for another World Cup Finals, this time in South Africa, for the 2010 edition. The Brazilian replaces Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic who was sacked late last year by the Burrell-led JFF administration.