Botafogo coach Eduardo Hungaro says his team's early exit from the Rio de Janeiro state championship will boost their hopes of progressing to the Copa Libertadores' second phase.
The Rio de Janeiro outfit will guarantee their passage beyond the group stage with victory over Chile's Union Espanola April 2, reported Xinhua.
"We are no longer in the state championship and that will allow us to train with more intensity," Hungaro said. "All of our attention will be on the Copa Libertadores."
The Alvinegro are currently top of Group 2, a point ahead of Union Espanola and three points ahead of both Independiente del Valle and San Lorenzo.
Two-time champions of Brazil's Serie A championship, Botafogo have never won the Copa Libertadores, considered to be South America's premier club competition.
