Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha revealed within the aftermath of his heroic efficiency towards Spain that his mom was not current in Atlanta as a result of she couldn’t afford a visa to the USA.
Vozinha, 40, was the star of the present as he stored an incredible clear sheet to maintain the European champions at bay and earn Cape Verde their first World Cup level on their debut, in an enormous early shock.
The keeper has been his nation’s No 1 for 13 years however his mom was not within the stadium. Cape Verde is on America’s record of nations whose residents need to publish a returnable bond of as much as $15,000 (£11,200) earlier than travelling to the US, in addition to a visa charge.
“I cried as a result of I grew up with my grandparents and sadly they weren’t right here; they died just a few years in the past,” an emotional Vozinha stated. “They had been every part for me, for my life.
“I additionally cried as a result of my mum didn’t handle to be right here due to the visa. Due to the cash we needed to pay for the visa, we didn’t handle to [get it done] on time. I would love her to be right here, however I’m additionally very joyful.
“I’ve labored my complete life for this second. I’m 40 years previous. I began taking part in soccer professionally once I was 25, in 2012. I considered leaving however I continued due to this dream.
“That is for everybody. I used to be named man of the match however that is for all of my teammates as a result of with out them nothing could be potential. I’ll proceed to work for Cape Verde and for the folks.”
Cape Verde, an archipelagic nation off the coast of West Africa with a inhabitants of round 500,000, solely made their main match debut in 2013 once they first certified for the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals.
“Our greatest weapon is our unity,” Vozinha added. “The way in which we deal with our household is our greatest energy. Everybody thought we got here right here simply to benefit from the World Cup, however we all know we’ve a workforce that deserves respect.
“It’s our first time, however we’re right here to compete and to combat for our nation. We’ll play all of the video games with our technique and our coach’s techniques. We’ll attempt to do higher than in the present day’s recreation.
“I hope we will win some video games and, who is aware of, perhaps undergo to the subsequent spherical. I’m very joyful and happy with all our gamers.”
Cape Verde subsequent face Uruguay of their second match earlier than ending the group section towards Saudi Arabia. All 4 groups are degree on one level after the primary spherical of matches.
