Vozinha's Controversial Arrival at Colo-Colo Faces Administrative Hurdles

The potential signing of Cape Verdean goalkeeper Josimar Évora Dias, widely known as "Vozinha," has ignited controversy within Colo-Colo, drawing criticism from club legends and presenting unexpected regulatory hurdles.

Former national team goalkeeper Roberto "Cóndor" Rojas has voiced strong opposition to the 40-year-old's arrival. Rojas argues that signing an aging player stifles the growth of promising young goalkeepers within the club's academy, such as Gabriel Maureira and Eduardo Villanueva. "Without disrespecting Vozinha, he doesn't help Colo Colo," Rojas stated, suggesting that a veteran keeper, whose prime performance is likely past, could demotivate aspiring young players.

Adding to the controversy is a regulation from the Chilean First Division League. The rules mandate that official jerseys must display only the player's paternal or maternal surname, explicitly forbidding nicknames. This measure, implemented by the National Professional Football Association (ANFP), aims to standardize player identification for official records and broadcasts.

To address this, Colo-Colo's management plans to seek a special dispensation from the ANFP. The club hopes to obtain an exceptional authorization allowing Vozinha to use his familiar moniker on his jersey for the current season. Failure to secure this exemption would compel the goalkeeper to adhere strictly to the local norm, using his legal surnames, Évora Dias, for league matches.

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Without disrespecting Vozinha, he doesn't help Colo Colo.