Following an all-time underdog World Cup performance, Cape Verde’s Vozinha has become a household name overnight. Now, the United States is trying to make the goalkeeper feel more at home by bringing his mother to the country to watch him play.
Josimar José Évora Dias, who simply goes by Vozinha, shocked the world Monday afternoon with a clean sheet against the global soccer powerhouse Spain. In a game where many expected the tournament-favorite Spanish national team to demolish Cape Verde, the 40-year-old had seven saves in the all-time performance as Cape Verde tied Spain 0-0.
Immediately after the game, an emotional Vozinha brought up how his mother could not watch his rise into superstardom in person.
“My mom, she didn’t manage to be here because of the visa,” Vozinha told reporters. “The money you had to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage [to get it] on time, and I would like [her] to be here.”
The goalkeeper was referring to the bond, which can be up to $15,000, that Cape Verde and 49 other countries’ citizens are required to pay due to high rates of overstaying their visas once they require it. But it appears that neither Vozinha nor his mother realized the Trump administration waived the bond for “athletes and team members — including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives,” which is clearly stated on the U.S. State Department’s travel web page. The State Department said it has no record of Vozinha’s mother, Ana Candida Évora, applying for the visa.
As of Wednesday morning, however, it seems like Évora will be able to see her son put on for his country.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) put out a press release on Wednesday, explaining how he will be actively working with the State Department to bring together mother and son.
“No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history. Upon learning of this development, I spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and asked the State Department to do everything in their power to ensure that his mother can attend Cabo Verde’s next match,” Jeffries stated.
“It is a privilege to announce that Vozinha’s mom will be able to secure a visa in time to attend their game this Sunday against Uruguay,” he added. “All fees have been waived consistent with official policy. Travel arrangements are now being made for mother and son to reunite in Miami.”
Vozinha’s World Cup story will not soon be forgotten by any of the 530,000 Cape Verdeans. He now looks to turn the performance into an unthinkable run with his mother in the crowd as Cape Verde takes on Uruguay on Sunday.
