"I said that no ball would enter his goal, and that is exactly what happened." Ana Candida Evora watched her 40-year-old son keep a clean sheet against Spain from her home in São Vicente, one of Cape Verde's 10 main islands. She'll be watching Sunday's match against Uruguay from Miami instead.
US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries confirmed Wednesday that all visa fees for Evora have been waived, following direct intervention with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She will be in the stands when Cape Verde face Uruguay in Miami — their second group game of a World Cup run that has already captured the attention of the footballing world.
What actually kept her out
Cape Verde sits on a US government list requiring citizens to post a returnable bond of $15,000 on top of standard visa fees before travelling to the States. The Trump administration dropped that bond requirement for World Cup ticket holders last month — but by then it was too late for Evora, a 59-year-old house cleaner, to make the arrangements in time for the Spain match.
Vozinha didn't hide his emotion after the draw. "I cried because my mum didn't manage to be here because of the visa," he said. "Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn't manage to [get it done] on time." For a man who only turned professional at 25 and spent years wondering whether his international career would ever amount to anything, that moment — keeping out Spain without his mother watching — had a particular weight to it.
He's been Cape Verde's number one for 13 years. Forty years old, a late starter, and now one of the breakout names of this tournament. The social media following has exploded. The man of the match award against Spain was just the beginning of the attention.
Uruguay next — and the stakes are real
Cape Verde's draw with Spain wasn't just sentimental — it's their first-ever World Cup point, and it immediately reshapes how the group is read. A point against Uruguay on Sunday would push them into genuine knockout contention. Cape Verde to qualify from the group will be priced generously by most books, and that price deserves a second look after what Vozinha produced against Yamal and company.
As for the reunion in Miami — Jeffries put it simply: "No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history." Travel arrangements are being made. Mother and son will meet before Sunday's kick-off.
"I am very proud to be Vozinha's mother," Evora said, "and I hope he continues to save every ball that comes his way."
