Hibs ace to face Messi in Maradona's spiritual home as duo face arduous round-the-world journey
Scotland, Australia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo all relying on Easter Road regulars
Lining up against Lionel Messi. In what will probably be the wee legend’s last ever game on Argentine soil. At the spiritual home of Diego Maradona.
When the Hibs players currently away on international duty start filtering back to club duty at East Mains towards the end of next week, one or two will have interesting tales to tell. A World Cup play-off. A first senior call-up. All the usual excitement.
In terms of sheer glamour, if not actual significance, there can only be one holder of all bragging rights. So let’s take a look at the smaller than usual international contingent representing the Easter Road club on the world stage during this break from club football.
Miguel Chaiwa – Boys’ Own Adventure Time
The all-action Zambia midfielder is in the squad heading to Buenos Aires to take on Argentina at la Bombonera. Courtesy of a late call from the World Cup holders, Chaiwa and chums could be facing magical Messi in a farewell to local fans at the home of Boca Juniors – a place forever associated with El Diego.
Zambia only got the call to take on Argentina on Monday, with the South Americans forced to improvise after the late cancellation of their friendly with Guatemala. The change of plans means Zambia will send their strongest squad to Buenos Aires, while a young group of potential Olympians fulfils their pre-arranged involvement in a four-nations tournament in Botswana.
All-time great Messi will bow out of international football after this summer’s World Cup. And Argentina won’t play another home friendly before the tournament, meaning next Tuesday night’s clash – it will actually kick off just after midnight on Wednesday, UK time – will represent an emotional send-off for the iconic national hero. Who’s writing this script, right?
Rocky Bushiri – World Cup Mania
In terms of what’s actually at stake during this international break, no-one from Hibs is playing for more than Rocky. Fifty-two years of hurt are on the line as the Democratic Republic of Congo try to get back to a World Cup for the first time since 1974.
To put that in perspective, the DRC wasn’t called the DRC back then. Zaire, as they were, lost all three games in West Germany (which no longer exists), suffering defeats to Yugoslavia (see West Germany), Brazil and a Scotland side boasting the talents of Denis Law and Billy Bremner, among others.
Sebastien Desabre’s team, looking to make up for their last-16 exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, are in what FIFA call an International Play-off Final in Guadalajara, Mexico next Tuesday. They’ll face either New Caledonia or Jamaica, who play in a semi-final on Friday.
Martin Boyle and Ante Suto – Chasing The Dream
Even 30-plus hours of travelling isn’t a big deal for Boyle, who is hopefully allowed to pocket the air miles from his international travels. The Socceroos veteran will cope just fine with travelling to Sydney and then Melbourne, albeit via roundabout routes thanks to trouble in the Middle East, for Australia’s penultimate pre-World Cup warm-up matches.
Making the trip for the first time will be Suto, a Croatian-born forward with an all-Aussie dad. The versatile attacker, who has never even visited Australia before, will be hoping to get some game time against Cameroon/Curacao after earning a first call-up from Tony Popovic.
The Socceroos have already qualified for the World Cup. Boyle takes the view that he has to keep performance – and working – in order to guarantee himself a place in the tournament. And Suto knows he’s got everything to prove.
Grant Hanley – Gie’s a Game
Officially fit again after recovering from a hamstring injury, Hanley hasn’t featured in the last two Hibs games. Since his substitution with 20 minutes remaining in the 0-0 home draw with Rangers back on February 1, then, the experienced central defender has only managed 45 minutes in a bounce game against Raith Rovers.
Yet Hanley is in the Scotland squad for the friendlies against Japan and the Ivory Coast. And you wouldn’t be surprised, in the slightest, to see Steve Clarke put his faith in the big man for at least one of those games as our World Cup preparations ramp up.
Munashe Garananga – Tournament Football
Zimbabwe will be in Botswana later this week, taking part in a four-nations tournament that includes the hosts, Malawi and, after a bit of juggling, a Zambia Under-23 team. Garananga, a Deadline Day loan signing from Copenhagen, has made just two starts for Hibs.
The central defender is expected to feature in a bounce game against Highlanders FC in Bulawayo on Wednesday, before travelling with the group to the Botswana.