Cape Verde's historic night: 'Now everyone knows who we are'

Miami, FL – Cape Verde celebrated a historic moment on the world stage, scoring their first goal in a World Cup match against Uruguay. Although the game concluded in a 2-2 draw, the achievement marked a significant milestone for the debutant island nation, igniting immense pride among its diaspora and fans.

"We are living in a dream," said Alexandria Alves, a 31-year-old member of the Cape Verdean diaspora in Massachusetts who traveled with her sister to witness the historic event. Her sister, Angela Alves, 39, an attorney in Washington, shared the sentiment, expressing pride in the team's "will" and dedication. The atmosphere at the sold-out Miami Stadium was electric when midfielder Kevin Pina, who plays for Russian club Krasnodar, scored the opening goal, sending the Cape Verdean supporters into a frenzy.

Neuza de Pina, 40, a singer from the island of Fogo, who now resides in Boston, described the moment as "something completely new for us." She led the chants in Creole, "Oli ou lá. Noz ki ta manda" (Here or there. We are the ones who rule), asserting Cape Verde's presence on the global football scene. "Before, nobody knew where Cape Verde was. Now, I no longer have to explain it to anyone," she added, highlighting the newfound international recognition.

A significant factor in the growing attention surrounding "Tubarão Azul" (The Blue Sharks), as the Cape Verdean national team is known, is their 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha. He gained widespread acclaim after a stellar performance against Spain, increasing his Instagram followers from 50,000 to over 15 million. His emotional reaction after the Spain match, where he wished his mother from São Vicente could have been present, sparked a campaign to bring her to the USA. Initially facing a $150,000 deposit for her visa and the lack of a passport, Vozinha's mother's journey became a symbol of hope. The US government waived the visa fee, allowing her to attend the match against Uruguay, a moment described by Neuza de Pina as "the first gesture of human warmth" experienced during the World Cup, contrasting with other visa-related difficulties faced by attendees.