Bosinha, who kept a clean sheet against Spain against Cape Verde, said his mother was unable to attend the World Cup because of the high cost of obtaining a US visa.
Cape Verde’s heroic keeper Vosinha was emotional after Monday’s clean sheet (Image: AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Cape Verde’s heroic goalkeeper Vosinha will be reunited with his mother ahead of the next World Cup match against Uruguay. The 40-year-old soccer player said his mother was unable to attend the World Cup because of the high cost of obtaining a U.S. visa. He said this after making a name for himself by keeping a clean sheet for Cape Verde’s prestigious team in the 2010 World Cup-winning match against giants Spain.
Many fans, including those rooting for England, expressed their support for him on social media amid the visa issue. His mother, Ana Candida Evora, confirmed at her home in San Vicente on the island that everything was ready before flying to Miami on Saturday.
Anna said: “I’m very happy. All this happens so fast, but I’m just so happy. God willing, I’m going to watch my son play in the World Cup. I’ll be there to cheer him on and give him strength and courage. I’m going to hug him after the game.”
She will be able to watch her son play against two-time champions Uruguay in the next big test.
Ana Candida Evora, mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vosinha, arrives in Miami (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier, U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said visa fees had been waived and travel arrangements had been made for the keeper’s mother.
“No mother should miss the opportunity to watch her child make history,” Jeffries wrote on X, adding, “I spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and urged the State Department to do everything in its power to allow mothers to attend Cape Verde’s next game.”
“We are proud to announce that Vosinha’s mother will be able to obtain a visa in time for this Sunday’s match against Uruguay.
“In accordance with official policy, all fees have been waived. Travel arrangements are currently being made for mother and son to be reunited in Miami.”
“We would like to thank Secretary Rubio, U.S. State Department officials, the Cape Verde government and FIFA for working together to make this possible.”
Anna exits the terminal upon arrival (Image: AFP, Getty Images)
Cape Verde is one of five countries taking part in the tournament, whose citizens are required by the US government to pay a refundable visa deposit of around £11,000, but fans with match tickets were exempted from this rule in May. Vosinha became a cult hero for his performance against Spain and gained millions of new followers on social media.
He has won 91 caps for his country and has had spells in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and is currently playing club football for Chávez in Portugal.
The veteran goalkeeper said after this week’s goalless draw: “I cried because I grew up with my grandparents. Unfortunately they weren’t here. They passed away a few years ago. They meant everything to me, they were my whole life.”
“And it’s also my mom’s fault. She couldn’t come here because of her visa. It costs money to get a visa, so she couldn’t make it in time. I want her to be here.”
At 40 years and 12 days old, Bosinha became the oldest player to appear in his first World Cup match. He added, “I started playing professional soccer in 2012 when I was 25 years old.It was too late for someone like me.I thought about quitting the national team, but I kept playing for this dream.”
In Group H, Cape Verde will play Uruguay on June 21st and Saudi Arabia on June 27th.
