Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is set for an emotional reunion at the World Cup after U.S. officials moved to ensure his mother can travel to the United States in time to watch him play against Uruguay on Sunday.
The 40-year-old became one of the early stars of the tournament this week after producing a string of outstanding saves to help Cape Verde hold Spain to a shock 0-0 draw in the nation’s first-ever World Cup match.
But amid the celebrations, Vozinha revealed that his mother, Ana Candida Evora, had been unable to travel to the United States because of visa-related difficulties.
That situation is now expected to be resolved.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced on Wednesday that he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and urged the State Department to do everything possible to ensure Evora could attend Cape Verde’s next Group H match in Miami.
“No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history,” Jeffries said in a statement, according to AP.
Jeffries said all fees had been waived and travel arrangements were being made to get Evora to Sunday’s match.
MAKING HISTORY
The development comes just days after Vozinha emerged as one of the breakout stars of the World Cup.
Spain entered the tournament as overwhelming favourites against Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations in the competition. Instead, they were repeatedly frustrated by the veteran goalkeeper, who produced seven saves to preserve a famous draw.
The performance quickly captured global attention and turned Vozinha into one of the stories of the opening week of the tournament.
After the match, however, the goalkeeper revealed that his mother had not been in the stands to witness the biggest moment of his career.
Vozinha said she had been unable to secure the documents needed to travel to the United States in time for the match.
VISA BREAKTHROUGH
The issue unfolded against the backdrop of tighter U.S. immigration measures that had initially required citizens from dozens of countries, including Cape Verde, to post bonds of up to $15,000 when seeking entry into the country.
The Trump administration later suspended that requirement for World Cup ticket holders and their families, but critics argued the move came too late for many supporters hoping to attend the tournament.
According to AP, the State Department had previously said it had no record of Evora applying for a visa but was working with Cape Verdean authorities to resolve the situation.
A U.S. State Department official later told Reuters that visa staff in Praia were working closely with her to complete the process.
“We can confirm our visa team in Praia is in close touch with her and providing the needed services,” the official said in a statement provided to Reuters.
Reuters also reported that officials believed part of the delay stemmed from the fact that Evora did not hold a valid Cape Verde passport when she first explored travelling to the United States, an issue that is now being addressed.
REUNION IN MIAMI
The expected arrival of Vozinha’s mother adds another uplifting chapter to Cape Verde’s remarkable World Cup story.
The island nation has already exceeded expectations by taking a point from Spain in its tournament debut and now heads into Sunday’s meeting with Uruguay believing another surprise could be possible.
For Vozinha, however, the most meaningful moment may come before kickoff.
After becoming one of the faces of the tournament with his heroics against Spain, the goalkeeper is now expected to have his mother in the stands to witness the next chapter of a World Cup journey that has already captured the imagination of fans around the world.
For a player who waited until the age of 40 to make his World Cup debut, sharing that moment with family may mean as much as any result on the pitch.
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