Vozinha's mother will attend Cape Verde's next FIFA World Cup match after U.S. State Department intervention

Vozinha guided Cape Verde to a historic result.

Cape Verde created history, defying all odds, as they held Spain, the tournament favourites, to a 0-0 draw, making a storm in the footballing world. Before the match, the side cemented themselves into the tournament’s record books, becoming the smallest nation in terms of population to qualify for the World Cup, surpassing Iceland’s record in 2018.

Cape Verde’s result was mainly guided by the efforts of goalkeeper Vozinha, who had a career defining. Before the matchup, Vozinho was the oldest African player to feature in the World Cup, at the age of 40.

He made a record seven saves during the game, securing the man of the match award. He scripted his name in the competition’s history for making the most saves by a goalkeeper in a single FIFA World Cup match since 1966. His heroics earned him massive support from fans worldwide, especially from the internet, with his following across social media increasing significantly.

Vozinha on his heartbreak amid success

Vozinha, who made history against Spain, had to endure a difficult moment during the game as his mother, described as his biggest supporter, was unable to make it to the match at the Atalanta Stadium in Georgia, USA. It was revealed that his mother’s ability to travel was completely derailed due to an incredibly high bond cost tied to her visa application.

“I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there. They passed away a few years ago.”

“My mom could not be here either for a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it, we did not manage to do this in time.”

They were asked to pay a bond of $15,000, a new government system affecting travellers from 50 countries. It was considered a high financial barrier for the family, with the player’s mother ultimately forced to cancel her journey.

Vozinha’s mother will attend Cape Verde’s next FIFA World Cup match

The heartbreaking situation quickly caught the attention of the wider public and tournament organizers. The United States State Department officially stepped in to take direct control of the issue. In a quick and highly celebrated diplomatic turn, government officials intervened to bypass the restrictive financial bond requirements and fast-track her documentation.

With her travel clearance now fully secured through this high-level intervention, Vozinha’s mother is currently preparing for her journey to the United States. She will be in the stands to support her son and the rest of the Cape Verde squad for the remainder of their historic World Cup run, with the team set to face Uruguay in their next fixture on June 22.

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