Brazil - The African Mirror

‘Coup-mongering’ Bolsonarista’s battle cry reveals a radicalized Brazil

GABRIEL STARGARDTER NEARLY two weeks after Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil's most fraught election in a generation, Milton Baldin arrived in the capital Brasilia to try to overturn the result. A small business owner from the deep interior of Brazil, Baldin, 55, joined thousands of hardcore Bolsonaro supporters who had set up an encampment outside army headquarters, from where they were urging the military to stage a coup. On November 26, Baldin took to the camp's stage and made a call to gun owners across Brazil, a group that has surged to nearly a…

Dec

2022

77 and counting: Neymar Jr has achieved goalscoring greatness

Despite Brazil's shock exit on penalties, Neymar Jr has sensationally equalled Pelé's record with a stunning extra-time goal against Croatia in Qatar and become his country's leading men’s goal scorer. Here is all you need to know: - The nutmegs are still there, and so are the cheeky flicks, the incredible control in tight spaces and the ability to wriggle his way out of what seems a dead end. Goals sometimes seem like an added extra for Neymar Jr - yet he's now Brazil's joint all-time leading men’s goal scorer. - Heading into his third major global tournament, he knew…

Dec

2022

‘We are on this journey together’: Pele backs Brazil ahead of World Cup match

SOCCER great Pele backed Brazil's national team ahead of their World Cup round of 16 match against South Korea, saying he will watch the game from hospital after being admitted there last week as he battles colon cancer. Pele, 82, said in an Instagram post that he wished to inspire Brazil's players by sharing a picture taken at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden when the then-teenager shocked the world leading the South American side to their first title. "I'll watch the game from here at the hospital and I'll be rooting for each one of you," Pele said ahead…

Nov

2022

Messi picks Brazil, France and England as WC favourites

ARGENTINA'S Lionel Messi picks out Brazil, France and England as the biggest threats to his dream of finally adding a World Cup winner's medal to his bulging trophy cabinet. The 35-year-old Paris St Germain forward will again shoulder Argentina's hopes in Qatar as they bid to deliver the South American country's third world title and first since 1986. "Whenever we talk about candidates, we always talk about the same teams," Messi told South American Federation Conmebol. "If I have to put some above others I think Brazil, France and England are a little bit above the rest. But the World…

Nov

2022

Brazil to clinch sixth World Cup in Qatar – market analysts

VUYANI NDABA and SARUPYA GANGULY BRAZIL is tipped to claim the World Cup for the sixth time in the tournament that kicks off November 20 in Qatar, according to a Reuters poll that last successfully predicted the champions in 2010. The global survey of 135 football-following market analysts worldwide agreed with the bookmakers that Brazil would triumph for the first time since 2002. Almost half of the respondents expected Brazil to win while 30% were evenly split between France and Argentina. Germany, England and Belgium scored in high single digits. "Brazil has a big chance this time with the depth…

Nov

2022

Brazil’s Bolsonaro to break silence and accept defeat, minister says

RICARDO BRITO and BRIAN ELLSWORTH BRAZIL'S far-right President Jair Bolsonaro will not contest his electoral defeat and plans to address the nation later, his Communications Minister Fabio Faria told Reuters, as a growing number of political allies advised him to concede. Some of Bolsonaro's hardline supporters have called for military intervention to keep Bolsonaro in power and stop leftist President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office. Pro-Bolsonaro truck drivers blocked federal highways. The presidential address may defuse the protests across Brazil by small groups of his supporters, which have begun to cause economic disruptions, drawing calls from the…

Oct

2022

Brazil’s furriest police corporal becomes internet sensation

A rescue dog turned police mascot has become one of Brazil's most beloved furry internet sensations. Dubbed "Corporal Oliveira," the dog was taken in by Rio police officer Cristiano Oliveira, who found him in 2019 near his police station abandoned, injured and hungry. The dog - decked out in a police uniform with a toy gun strapped in and sunglasses - has become the official mascot of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police's 17th batallion, patrolling alongside his officer and running beside motorbikes. "I took a coat, a police shirt and put it on him as a joke. I took…

Oct

2022

Messi names France and Brazil as favourites to win World Cup

ARGENTINA captain Lionel Messi has said defending champions France and Brazil are the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar as they have a core group of players who have played together for a long time. Messi said Brazil, Germany, France, England and Spain are always labelled favourites to win but the 35-year-old forward feels France and Brazil are the best two teams going into the November 20 - December 18 tournament. "We always say the same great teams ... but, if I have to choose, Brazil and France are the two great candidates to win the World Cup,"…

Sep

2021

Brazil official wants a halt to teen COVID-19 shots after death