With the slog that is the Brazilian state leagues finally behind us, the eyes of the country turn to the Brasileirão. The are story-lines aplenty, with Flamengo looking to return to relevance on the pitch, a heavily weakened Corinthians seeking to win back to back titles, and plenty of teams looking likely to make a run at the title. With those in mind, let’s take a look at the best and worst case scenarios of […]
The late English showman Bob Monkhouse had at least one great line in his locker; “everyone laughed when I told them I was going to be a comedian,” he said. “Well, they’re not laughing now!” It is a comment that Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson may well appreciate. An unorthodox part of his modest upbringing in Sao Vicente, on the outskirts of Santos, was a spell he spent in a circus as a clown’s assistant. But he […]
As a Botafogo supporter, a Saint Garrincha fan, I wished the Lone Star had stayed in the Brazilian top division, the Brasileirão. However, I am not amongst the downtrodden rank who see relegation as a symbol of doom. Relegation is a lesson to any club; it says that the must prove they are better. Garrincha proved he was better than many, using his natural skill along with determination and joy. Botafogo have to do likewise, […]
Another season of one of the most competitive leagues in world football has come to an end. Although they weren’t as convincing this campaign, last year’s champions Cruzeiro have successfully retained their crown, which speaks volumes about the difference in quality between the Belo Horizonte club and the other teams in the league. Even if Cruzeiro don’t rise to their normal standards they don’t have much to worry as the other so-called title contenders (São […]
The 2014 Brasileirão season will be broken into two parts, thanks to the mid-season break for the World Cup. The season starts on April 19th, breaking from June 2nd to July 14th, and will come to a close on December 6th. Here’s a look at all the participants, including their aims and players to look out for. We begin, perhaps unfashionably, with a look at the clubs in the north east of Brazil, written by The […]
Oh Wally Wally, Wally Wally Wally Wally Wallyson. Botafogo qualified for the Copa Libertadores for the first time since 1996, as they beat Deportivo Quito by an aggregate score of 4-1 in the group qualifying phase. They went into the second leg at the Maracanã needing to overturn a 1-0 first leg defeat in Quito, after failing to live up to expectations in the first game. A defeat in the second leg was unthinkable. Botafogo’s problems […]
Sporadic live updates from the game between Botafogo and Deportivo Quito in the Copa Libertadores primeira fase. The game is being played at the famous Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The winners will go into the second phase, and will join a group featuring Chile’s Unión Española, San Lorenzo of Argentina, and Independiente of Ecuador. The first leg in Quito finished Deportivo Quito 1, Botafogo 0. Away goals will be used after 90 minutes […]
Football legend Clarence Seedorf has officially retired from playing football, after accepting an offer to manage AC Milan. He announced the news at a press conference held in Botafogo’s Engenhão. “I’m here to announce that I will stop playing football after 22 years.” said the 37-year-old. “This experience [at Botafogo] for one and a half years made me grow up a lot and will help me in my next step, which will be as Milan coach.” […]
A limp Botafogo performance was rescued by a dramatic last minute strike from Elias, as his side snatched a 2-1 victory against Criciúma at the Estádio Heriberto Hülse. (SCROLL FOR VIDEO) Just days after the celebration of what would have been Leônidas da Silva’s 100th birthday, Elias executed a strike worthy of a tribute to the king of the bicycle kick. Botafogo had spent much of the game struggling to break through a stubborn Criciúma […]
Botafogo stormed to a 3-1 victory over Coritiba at the Maracanã on Thursday, with two goals from débutant Hyuri Henrique de Oliveira Costa, the second of which was something a bit special, as you can see in the video below. Rafael Marques opened the scoring, before passing the limelight to former Audax Rio forward who only signed for Botafogo a couple of months ago. His chance in the first team came thanks to the recent sale of […]