Bolillo returns to Panama national team

Colombian coach Hernán Darío Gómez, known as 'Bolillo', was unanimously approved as the new head coach of the Panama national team. His candidacy was accepted by all federation members led by Pedro Chaluja. Gómez, who is revered not only in Panama but also in Ecuador for qualifying them for their first World Cup, was warmly welcomed at Tocumen Airport. He was greeted with 'Qué xopa, cuzclatecos' and authentic sounds. Now, Panama is playing for a spot in the World Cup. The Caravana del Triunfo, which departs from the Coastal Strip tonight at 9 p.m., should be a prelude to unprecedented enthusiasm. The faithful fans, who come with their hearts in their hands, are ready to shout until they are breathless, never stopping to cheer. Panama will demonstrate how to support a team without becoming hooligans. The team will fight with blood and sweat, because there is only one equation: to win and win. There is also a pre-established debt; we have not won at the Coloso de Juan Díaz. In life, there is a time for everything, to love and to hate, and we understand clearly that 'Bolillo' is our rival and we are going to beat him with dignity, without asking for anything for free. It is incomprehensible and unreasonable that we treat the only coach who has taken us to the greatest event, a Football World Cup, the one in Russia 2018, as an enemy in a despotic and unpleasant manner. Fans protested aggressively, like savage hordes, with insults to my colleagues over the cordial and affable treatment of the press towards Hernán Darío Gómez. 'Bolillo' is more than a coach of souls for our Selection; he identified with the country. The Colombian gambled like a Panamanian, suffering in every match, play by play, goal by goal. The processed affection will be eternal; that feat is marked in the heart and mind of every Panamanian. Every saint comes his hour; 'Boli' is loved with frenzy; if the Hispanic-Danish Thomas Christiansen takes us to the 2026 World Cup, he will be adored just the same. Added to that, he had an extra, a plus, when he arrived, he promised that he would take us to the World Cup and he did it, with the phantom goal by Blas, the goal by Román in the final moments of the anguishes, the unthinkable victory of T&T against USA; the planets aligned. The writer of this column is a presenter on Sertv Deportes.