Prof. René Simoes gets a hug from Cecilia Gregson.

Even though he's been back for a few weeks, the welcomes haven't stopped for Professor René Simoes.

The Brazilian who took Jamaica's unheralded Reggae Boyz senior football team to the 1998 World Cup in France is back for a second stint to see whether the team can repeat its success. Members of the relatively small Brazilian community in Jamaica, including officials of the embassy, held a small dinner for the coach and his assistants at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, last week Friday. This was their way, according to charges d'affaires at the embassy, Carlos Guedes, to show their support for the coach as he tries to turn Jamaica's football programme around.

Professor Simoes was pleased with the show of support he was getting not just from his countrymen and women, but also from the Jamaican public. In his customary broken English, he expressed optimism that the team would get the chemistry right.

Among those out to dine with Professor Simoes were Marcelo Andrade, Waldima Burns, Marlei Domingos, Rodrigo Salgado, Bruno Goncalves, Kaydeanne Mairs-Borges, Alfredo Dos Anjos and Richard Havercroft.

Here's to René! Toasting the technical director are (from left) Carlos Guedes; Ramon Corvera, and wife, Deidre; Andrea Barbosa; and Leonardo Elmor. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff photographer

Managing Director of Alpart, Alberto Fabrini (left), greets Professor René Simoes.