Cabo Verde hails its heroes as Vozinha’s family is reunited

The Cabo Verde supporters in Miami were stunned into silence in the 68th minute. A low cross from the right caught the defence off guard and, as the ball ricocheted loose, attempt-stopper Vozinha stretched to try, as well as bring it under control. Maxi Araujo was challenging as well though, and in the scramble that followed the Uruguayan bundled into the net, seemingly for his subsequent of the night.

Araujo had already set off at speed to celebrate when the gesture came that brought relief to the Cabo Verde supporters - Norwegian referee Espen Eskas raised his right arm to signal offside.

Immediately, the stands started chanting Vozinha's name. The custodian had been the standout star in Cabo Verde’s opener against the mighty Spain, and he was called upon to produce another notable performance against another former world champion. And once again, It was he who delivered as his side held Uruguay to a hard-fought 2-2 draw.

In response, for one fan in particular, the emotions could hardly have been more intense. Vozinha’s mother Ana Candida Evora was in the stands to watch her son for the opening time at this World Cup. She’s also witnessed him become a bright new star of world football, with an Instagram following that has gone from  50,000 to more than 15 million.

"It was so emotional. My heart was in my mouth. But today luck was on our side. Our hearts are with our country, with those who believed after the opening fixture. We have faith. Faith, as well as hope. I am proud of Cabo Verde," she shared with FIFA.

Ana Candida arrived in the United States two days before Cabo Verde’s subsequent fixture. "I didn't even have a passport. It is the opening time I have left Cabo Verde," she commented.

"It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I don't really have the words to describe it. He has been through so much. It’s hugely emotional, but he had a good fixture, as well as he’ll do it again. You have to keep going right until the end.”

In response, as he left the field of play, Vozinha seemed calm, but sounded physically, as well as emotionally drained by one of the competition’s most exciting contests to date.

"It is a dream come true for us, as well as for all Cabo Verdeans. Being here to honour that is a joy," he commented. ”What I saw out there today was a strong side with a really great attitude.”

Building on that, asked about his newfound fame, online at least, the veteran, who has just turned 40, smiled. "I have been trying to reply to the people closest to me, as well as to friends, but I still haven't replied to everyone. It’s been crazy."

Indeed, when the starting lineups were introduced on the arena screens in Miami, the attempt-stopper received an even bigger cheer than Real Madrid’s multi-title-winning star Federico Valverde.

And following Uruguay’s two strikes, the Cabo Verdean hero’s name rang out from the attendance in support. They also let out a huge "ole" when Vozinha dribbled past Maxi Araujo just minutes after the disallowed strike.

"It is unbelievable, because there was a huge attendance of Uruguay supporters today. It felt like a home fixture for them, but even so we could hear the Cabo Verde supporters really clearly," rearguard star Pico Lopes shared with FIFA.

Building on that, at interval, with the South Americans leading 2-1, we spoke to some of those supporters. They may have been disappointed to have seen the fixture turn in Uruguay’s favour, but their feelings ran deeper than the scoreline.

“For such a small country, after fighting so hard to get here, it means everything, especially as we don’t have the resources that other countries have. But we’re all united here. Our mantra is to stand together, literally hand in hand, and go all the way,” commented Rafael, a 29-year-old engineer who lives in Rhode Island. His voice was already very hoarse by interval, and he admits that he might just have snuck a glance or two at the contest against Spain while at work.

Claudio, 49, had coincidentally also travelled from Rhode Island, and was at his subsequent World Cup contest after attending Cabo Verde's opener in Atlanta.

"Qualifying for the World Cup is already a joy that cannot be described. Drawing with Spain, as well as finding the net a strike against Uruguay are like victories for us. If we leave here with another draw, we will leave happy," he commented prophetically.

Pico Lopes could not have been more grateful for those words. "That says a lot about what we are doing. We are giving them reasons to cheer, and their support gives us that extra boost. They really are our 12th man. The motivation we feel from showing we can compete on the biggest stage is massive.”

The draw with Uruguay means Cabo Verde now sits in third place on two points in Group H, only trailing Marcelo Bielsa's side by one strike found the net, as well as still in with a chance of progressing to the elimination stage stage. Next up, for their third, as well as decisive fixture, they will travel to Houston to take on Saudi Arabia.