Vozinha's mother arrives at World Cup, maintains faith in Cape Verde's feat

The mother of Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Vozinha, has arrived in the United States to witness her son and his team compete in the World Cup, fulfilling a wish that was initially uncertain due to visa complications. Ana Candida Evora, who missed Cape Verde's surprising opening draw against Spain, will now be in the stands for their second group stage match against Uruguay.

"I want to thank all the fans, everyone who helped in the process, for the support they gave the team, especially to Cape Verde," Evora stated in remarks shared by FIFA. "We are all cheering for Cape Verde to play well, to shine on the field. The players need to have faith and everything will be alright."

Evora's journey to the US was facilitated by a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Department of State, FIFA, legislators, and the Cape Verdean football federation. The resolution of her visa issues, primarily the financial hurdles, allowed her to travel after a journey exceeding 24 hours. Upon arrival, she was greeted by FIFA officials and volunteers.

Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, has seen a dramatic surge in his Instagram following, growing from around 50,000 followers before the World Cup to 14.9 million by Sunday morning. This surge in popularity is largely attributed to his emotional post-match comments after Cape Verde's goalless draw against Spain, where he expressed his desire for his grandparents to have seen him play and for his mother to have been present. His story, combined with the team's unexpected result against a tournament favorite, has captured the world's attention.

The Cape Verde team, commonly known as the "Blue Sharks" (Tubarões Azuis), is now a focal point of global interest. Striker Garry Rodrigues acknowledged the intensity surrounding the team but emphasized their professional focus: "But as we are professionals, the match (against) Spain is already in the past. ..."