Flamengo Rio Champions

Written by Nicholas Savage , 07.05 15h41

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Joel Santana's Flamengo celebrated their 30th Rio de Janeiro state championship title at the weekend, ahead of his departure this week to become South Africa's national coach.

Flamengo defeated arch rivals Botafogo 3-1 at the Maracana Stadium. After trailing 1-0 at half-time, Santana made changes and managed to turn the score around with four strikers on the pitch.

Santana will take charge of his last game on Wednesday when Flamengo face Mexico's America at home in the second leg of their Libertadores Cup third-round tie. Flamengo have a 4-2 lead from the first leg.

Santana, 60, will replace compatriot Carlos Alberto Parreira in South Africa where he has a contract through to the 2010 World Cup.

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