Cape Verde's Vozinha delighted with mother's visa but wants to talk football

TAMPA, Florida, June 18 : Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was not too keen to discuss it on Thursday but finally conceded he was very happy his mother had obtained a U.S. visa and would be able to watch him play against Uruguay in the World Cup this weekend.

The 40-year-old has become one of the breakout stars of the tournament after his Player of the Match performance helped Cape Verde secure a stunning 0-0 draw with European champions Spain in Atlanta.

He was reduced to tears after the match, however, because his grandparents, who raised him, had passed away, and his mother, Ana Candida Evora, had been unable to witness his heroics in person because of the costs of getting a visa.    

The U.S. State Department stepped in after his emotional post-match comments went viral, and on Thursday officials confirmed that Evora had received approval to travel.

The Blue Sharks play their second World Cup group match on Sunday and Evora, who is on her way to the U.S. from Cape Verde's capital Praia, will now be in the stands at Miami Stadium. 

"For me, this is very important because all my family always supports me in everything," Vozinha told reporters at the team's training camp.  

"And to have her here, for me, it's something special. My father also is here and my brother, so I am very happy. I wish I could bring more, maybe my brothers and sisters and nephews, but I think sometimes it's difficult."

Cape Verde was among dozens of countries whose citizens needed to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. under President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown, but that requirement was later dropped for World Cup ticket holders.

With a little help from a Brazilian TV station, Vozinha's performance in Atlanta boosted his