Tearful Cape Verde hero Vozinha set for emotional reunion with mum at World Cup

CAPE VERDE keeper Vozinha will be reunited with his mother on Friday – after the US Government granted her a visa to travel to the World Cup.

Vozinha – real name Josimar Diaz – had the game of his life as he kept Spain at bay in his country’s shock 0-0 draw on Monday.

But he was in tears of disappointment after defying Spain in Atlanta as he revealed his mum, Ana Candida Evora, had not been able to afford the £12,000 bond to obtain a travel permit.

But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has now intervened to push through the visa request – and waive the fee.

And it means she will be able to fly to Miami to see the Blue Sharks in action against Uruguay as they seek the win that would virtually guarantee their unlikely progress to the knock-out stage.

The U-turn was revealed by Democratic Representative Hakeem Jefferies, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who said: “On the strength of an epic performance on Monday, the Cape Verde team shocked and inspired the World by holding Spain to a draw.

“Cape Verdeans in America and throughout the diaspora have been celebrating the underdog grit and resilience of the Blue Sharks.

“That joy was tempered when Vozinha tearfully revealed his own mother was unable to watch her son’s iconic performance in person due to visa complications.

“No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history.

“Upon learning of this development, I spoke with Marco Rubio and asked the state department to do everything in their power to ensure his mother can attend the next match.

This year’s World Cup is like no other as a record-breaking 48 nations compete to lift football’s biggest prize.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought.

But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance.

“It is a privilege to announce that Vozinha’s mum will be able to secure a visa in time to attend their game this Sunday against Uruguay.

“All fees have been waived consistent with official policy and travel arrangements are now being made for mother and son to reunite in Miami.

“Thank you to Secretary Rubio, U.S. State Department officials, the government of Cape Verde and FIFA for working together to make this happen.”

It has been a tournament of miracles for the keeper, even beyond his heroics in the net against one of the tournament favourites.

He entered that match with 50,000 Instagram followers, but left the pitch with over a million more.

That number has since ballooned to almost 13million as fans continued to show their support for the surprise hero.