But at least the furore surrounding Brazil's coach is finally beginning to subside, which should mean the players are fully focused on the job in hand rather than distracted by events off the pitch.
Brazil go in search of the win that will put the rhythm back into their step when they take on Venezuela.
The four-times World Champions have looked distinctly out of sync in the past year, so much so that they are in serious danger of missing the plane to Korea in two years' time if their erratic form does not improve.
The Brazilians currently lie fourth in the South American World Cup qualifying table, having won just four of their eight games to date.
They have also suffered shock defeats at the hands of both Paraguay and Chile to trail group leaders Argentina by a considerable five points.
Whipping boys
Their position should improve somewhat on Sunday, when they travel to whipping boys Venezuela, with just one victory and three points to their name.
Anything less than a win would certainly darken the already gloomy skies over Rio de Janeiro.
But at least the furore surrounding Brazil's coach is finally beginning to subside, which should mean the players are fully focused on the job in hand rather than distracted by events off the pitch.
Wanderley Luxemburgo was sacked following the country's dismal showing in the Olympics.
His demise had been on the cards for a while, given his controversial team selections and frequent rows with his players.
Eventual champions
But the coup de grace finally came when Brazil were beaten in the Sydney quarter-finals by eventual champions Cameroon.
The new man in charge is Candinho, Luxemburgo's assistant.
He was reluctant to take the job at first but finally agreed to assume temporary charge.
If he kicks off his tenure with a victory, he may be convinced to become Luxemburgo's permanent successor.
He should get off to a winning start, now that Romario is back on the international stage following a number of bust-ups with Luxemburgo.
Hat-trick
He may be 34 but he has been banging in the goals for Vasco da Gama. He also scored a hat-trick in Brazil's 5-0 demolition of Bolivia in September.
Elsewhere, Argentina entertain third-placed Uruguay in arguably the match of the weekend, although it was far from a tight affair the last time the teams met.
On Uruguayan soil back in February, Argentina romped to a comfortable 3-0 success.
Uruguay have also been rocked in the build-up to the game by reports from Italy that coach Daniel Passarella is poised to take over at Inter Milan following the sacking of Marcelo Lippi.
Passarella has enough on his plate, given the likely emotions he will be going through when he leads his team out against his fellow countryman.
One point
In Quito, Chile will be looking to make up ground on the leading pack by winning their game against Ecuador.
After their emphatic 3-0 win over Brazil in August, the Chileans slipped to a 1-0 home defeat by Colombia last time out.
In the final weekend match, Peru and Bolivia, two of the bottom three teams, face each other in La Paz.
The Central American section features the penultimate matches in the semi-final round, but there is little left to decide.
Even with only four of six games played, two groups are virtually over, with Trinidad & Tobago, Mexico, Jamaica and Honduras through to the final group of six, from which three qualify for the World Cup.
Trinidad and Jamaica have already agreed to let a number of their English-based players miss international duty for the 'dead rubbers' to let them have a rest.
In the other group, Guatemala have an outside chance of stopping the United States and Costa Rica progressing, but have to win on Sunday in Barbados.
The Barbadians are bottom and were thumped 7-0 by the US, but seven of the eight games in this group have ended in home wins, with only one draw.
Guatemala are really no stronger than Barbados and will have their work cut out to retain an interest.