Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha secured unanimous approval from Chilean football authorities on Friday to display his nickname on his Colo-Colo jersey, though his arrival in Santiago remains delayed amid unresolved personal matters and visa issues following his marquee signing announcement.
ANFP Unanimously Approves Jersey Exception for Cape Verde Goalkeeper
Breakout Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will be permitted to display his footballing nickname on the upper back of his jersey when he takes the field in Chilean football. The Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional, which organizes the country’s Primera Division, unanimously approved the special exception on Friday, July 31, 2026.
The decision required amending existing league regulations, which previously mandated that players wear only their surnames, or their paternal and maternal surnames, on the upper back of their team shirts. Top executives across various Chilean clubs backed the request on behalf of the veteran player, whose full legal name is Josimar José Évora Dias.
According to details leaked to local media during the ANFP meeting, securing permission to use the name Vozinha on his shirt served as one of the player’s key conditions for accepting the deal with Colo-Colo.
Colo-Colo Transfer Status and Delayed Arrival in Santiago
Questions continue to mount regarding when the goalkeeper will actually touch down in Chile. Colo-Colo, recognized as the country’s most decorated club, announced the marquee signing a week ago, but logistical hurdles quickly derailed the timeline. Vozinha was initially scheduled to land in Santiago on Tuesday, July 28, before visa complications pushed his travel back to Thursday, July 30. Ultimately, he failed to board his flight, triggering immediate concern among club officials and supporters.
Despite the missed travel dates, Colo-Colo director Jaime Pizarro insisted to reporters late on Thursday that the transfer agreement remains active.
Pizarro explained that the player requested an extension to resolve unspecified personal matters. During the same administrative meetings, Colo-Colo president Aníbal Mosa acknowledged that the formal contract has not yet been signed.
Origins of the Global Moniker and Projected Club Terms
The nickname Vozinha translates to little grandmother
in Portuguese. The moniker originated during the player’s childhood when, after losing street football matches, he would cry and storm home to his grandparents, with whom he lived.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper rose to global fame and gained massive Instagram following following standout performances for Cape Verde during the FIFA World Cup.
Under the proposed terms outlined by club leadership, Vozinha has been offered an initial six-month contract with Colo-Colo, which includes an option for the club to extend his stay by an additional 12 months.
Club Management Remains Unfazed Amid Public Silence
Although the goalkeeper maintains active social media channels, he has not yet made any public statements regarding the transfer to Chile. Club manager Fernando Ortiz, however, voiced confidence in the ongoing negotiations after speaking directly with the player.
Ortiz added further context regarding the player’s demeanor and the anticipation surrounding his arrival in South America.
“Although he isn’t very expressive by nature, he is excited about the prospect of coming here —though he obviously has personal matters to take care of. The excitement surrounding a figure like him entering our league is understandable. Let’s hope he resolves his situation soon so we can count on him.”
Fernando Ortiz, Colo-Colo coach, via Associated Press
Reiterating his confidence that the administrative and travel hurdles will be cleared, Ortiz emphasized to reporters on Friday that Things are being done the right way
.
