Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Bora Milutinovic (right) and Jamaica Football Federation President Crenston Boxhill at the Jamaica Pegasus yesterday, shortly after Milutinovic arrived in the island. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

VELIBOR 'BORA' Milutinovic is set to take over as technical director of the Reggae Boyz as the nation pushes for a berth at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, dubbed the 'Back to Africa Campaign.'

The much-travelled Serbian arrived in the island yesterday to go over final details with officials of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). Milutinovic has developed a great reputation worldwide as he has coached five teams - Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States, Nigeria and China - to the World Cup.

Four of those teams were also able to progress to the second round of the competition, the only exception being China, which failed to do so at the 2002 World Cup.

With Jamaica putting such a strong emphasis on reaching South Africa for the 2010 finals, not only from a sporting but also a cultural standpoint, it is hoped that the coach will be able to do the same for a team which made its World Cup debut in 1998 under then national technical director René Simoes, but has struggled mightily in recent times.

Details of the contract have not yet been revealed. However, preliminary reports had indicated that Milutinovic's agent had initially asked for 3.5 million euros or J$266 million a year.

FACT BOX

Country of Birth - Serbia, Bajina Ba?ta

Age: 62

NATIONAL TEAMS COACHED

1986 - MEXICO: Took them to the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, their highest ever finish.

1990 - COSTA RICA: Came on board just before the World Cup. Stunned many by getting the team into the second round.

1991 - UNITED STATES: Carried the team to the 1994 World Cup then proceeded to qualify it for the second round.

1997 - Qualified MEXICO for the 1998 World Cup but was fired. Landed job with Nigeria for France '98 and also took that team to the second round.

2002 - CHINA: Took team to the World Cup after four decades of disappointment, but for the first time failed to make the second round.

2003 - Signed on to coach HONDURAS. Resigned on June 30, 2004 during World Cup qualifying.