Cape Verde keeper Vozinha gets family moment after viral World Cup heroics

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother attended the Uruguay match after visa issues were resolved, capping a week in which his World Cup saves went viral.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s remarkable World Cup week took an emotional turn when his mother was able to attend his team’s match against Uruguay after travel obstacles that had kept her away were resolved.

Ana Candida Evora, the mother of the 39-year-old keeper whose real name is Josimar Dias, was shown in the stands during Cape Verde’s game against Uruguay, according to Varzesh3. Her appearance followed reported intervention by U.S. officials that cleared the way for her to travel to the tournament.

The family moment came after Vozinha had become one of the tournament’s most unexpected stories. On the opening day of the competition, he produced seven saves in Cape Verde’s scoreless draw with Spain, the reigning European champion, helping the “Blue Sharks” deliver one of the World Cup’s major shocks.

His performance quickly spread across social media. Varzesh3 reported that Vozinha’s following rose from about 50,000 before Monday’s match to roughly 15 million after his heroics against Spain, a surge that turned a veteran goalkeeper into an overnight global figure.

But after the Spain match, Vozinha said he was saddened that his mother had not been there to see what he described as the biggest match of his life. The report said he explained that visa complications and high financial requirements had made it difficult for her to travel.

That changed before the Uruguay game. Her visa was approved and the related costs were waived, allowing Evora to make the trip and support her son in person. Television cameras repeatedly showed her in the crowd, visibly emotional as Cape Verde continued its unexpected World Cup run.

For Vozinha, the week has brought a rare combination of sporting acclaim and personal relief: a defining performance against Spain, a sudden global audience and, finally, the sight of his mother watching from the stands on football’s biggest stage.