Cape Verde’s goalkeeper hero, Vozinha, is set to be reunited with his mother before their upcoming World Cup match against Uruguay. The 40-year-old player had expressed disappointment that his mother, Ana Candida Evora, couldn’t attend the tournament due to the high cost of a US visa. However, following a wave of support on social media, arrangements have been made for Ana to fly to Miami to watch her son play and offer him encouragement and support.
US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries intervened, ensuring that visa fees were waived and travel arrangements were facilitated for Vozinha’s mother. Expressing his satisfaction with the outcome, Jeffries emphasized the importance of a mother being present to witness her child’s historic moments. The news was welcomed by fans and officials from Cape Verde and Fifa, working together to make this reunion possible.
Vozinha, who gained popularity after his standout performance against Spain, will now have his mother cheering him on as Cape Verde faces Uruguay. The goalkeeper, with 91 caps for his country, currently plays club football in Portugal. Reflecting on his journey and the absence of his deceased grandparents at the World Cup, Vozinha expressed his emotions and gratitude towards his mother for her unwavering support.
At the age of 40 years and 12 days, Vozinha made history as the oldest player to feature in Cape Verde’s debut World Cup game. Despite challenges and personal losses, his determination and dedication to his dream of representing his nation on the international stage have kept him going. Cape Verde is scheduled to play Uruguay on June 21 and Saudi Arabia on June 27 in Group H.