The mother of Cape Verde hero Vozinha touched down in the United States after an intervention from the government allowed her to travel for her son’s next World Cup game.
The Cape Verde goalkeeper became one of the early sensations of the tournament after making several heroic saves in his team’s opening 0-0 draw against favorites Spain, securing one of the biggest upsets of the competition so far.
However, his mother, Ana Candida Evora, had been unable to watch the valiant performance with Vozinha revealing following the match that she had been unable to obtain a visa to travel to the US due to the cost.
Following the 40-year-old’s revelation, the US government waived all fees and granted Evora a visa in time to make it to the States in time for Cape Verde’s second game of the tournament.
Evora landed in Miami from Cape Verde’s capital Praia on Friday, two days ahead of her son’s clash against Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
She emerged from the arrivals area at Miami International Airport at 3:53pm local time wearing a pink shirt, smiling as she shook hands with members of staff wearing FIFA accreditation.
Cape Verde hero Vozinha’s mother arrived in Miami, United States, in time for his next game
Ana Candida Evora was greeted by FIFA officials after landing at Miami International Airport
The goalkeeper became one of the early sensations of the tournament against Spain
Surrounded by FIFA and airport staff, she walked through a small huddle of waiting reporters before stepping into an elevator and continuing her journey to reunite with her son ahead of Sunday’s Group H matchup.
‘I want to wish him good luck and a good match,’ she said.
It was not immediately clear whether she would start a five-hour drive to Tampa, where her son has been staying ahead of the game, or wait until Sunday for the reunion.
Cape Verde is among 50 countries whose citizens face bonds of up to $15,000 to secure a US visa, part of President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on travelers from countries that officials said had high rates of visa overstays.
The Trump administration last month suspended the requirement for ticket-holders from Cape Verde and four other World Cup nations, but critics said it was too late for many fans.
The State Department had said it had no record of Evora ever applying for a visa. It also said that it had notified all players from World Cup countries affected by the $15,000 visa bond requirement that they and their families would be exempt from posting the bond.
A person familiar with the situation said that the State Department believes that Vozinha’s mother did not apply for a visa because she did not hold a valid Cape Verde passport. It is believed that she has now obtained one.
Following Vozinha’s emotional postgame comments, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and ‘asked the State Department to do everything in their power to ensure that his mother can attend Cabo Verde’s next match.’
Evora had been unable to attend his first game after being unable to obtain a US visa
The US government intervened to waive the fees and grant Evora a visa
Evora is poictured with her grandchildren at the airport in Cape Verde before her flight to the US
Jeffries said all fees have been waived and travel arrangements are being made to get her to Cape Verde’s next game Sunday against Uruguay in Miami.
‘I thank Secretary Rubio, U.S. State Department officials, the government of Cabo Verde and FIFA for working together to make this possible,’ Jeffries said.
It marked the latest emotional twist in a remarkable World Cup story for the Cape Verde goalkeeper.
Vozinha’s heroics against Spain turned the veteran goalkeeper into one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
He made seven saves, with 1.46 xG prevented, as Cape Verde picked up a surprise point against European champions Spain.
Vozinha, who plays for Portuguese second tier side Chaves, is the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his FIFA World Cup debut and unsurprisingly won Player of the Match.
