In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Évora and the second or paternal family name is Dias.
Vozinha
Personal information
Full name Josimar José Évora Dias[1]
Date of birth (1986-06-03) 3 June 1986 (age 40)
Place of birth Mindelo, Cape Verde
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2011 Batuque
2011–2012 Mindelense
2012–2015 Progresso do Sambizanga 51 (0)
2015 Mindelense
2015–2016 Zimbru Chișinău 26 (0)
2016–2017 Gil Vicente 28 (0)
2017–2022 AEL Limassol 116 (0)
2022–2024 AS Trenčín 34 (0)
2024–2026 Chaves 51 (0)
International career‡
2012– Cape Verde 91 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:36, 15 June 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 20:36, 15 June 2026 (UTC)

Josimar José Évora Dias ( Portuguese: [ʒɔ.zi.ˈmaɾ ʒu.ˈzɛ ˈɛ.vu.ɾɐ ˈdi.ɐʃ]; born 3 June 1986), known as Vozinha ( Kabuverdianu: [vɔ.ˈzi.ɲɐ]), is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Cape Verde national team.

Vozinha's club career has consisted of spells in Cape Verde, Angola, Moldova, Portugal, Cyprus and Slovakia. A full international since 2012, and the second-highest caps earner in the history of the Cape Verde national team, he has played in five major international tournaments: the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, 2015, 2021 and 2023, and the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Club career

Born in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde, Vozinha began his career at local club Batuque,[2] playing for them until 2011 before moving to local city rivals Mindelense.[3] In 2012, he was signed by Progresso do Sambizanga in Angola,[4] remaining for three years until the expiration of his contract.[5] In March 2015, Vozinha returned to Mindelense in the São Vicente Island League, signing for one year.[5] He played all games in the successful Cape Verdean Championship campaign, excluding the final.[6]

In July 2015, he joined Moldovan National Division club Zimbru Chișinău.[6] Vozinha moved in August 2016 to Gil Vicente of the Liga Portugal 2,[7] in which he saved five penalties in 32 games.[8] In June 2017, he joined Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol.[8] After five years in Cyprus, Vozinha joined Slovak First League club AS Trenčín in August 2022, signing for six months with an option for a further year.[9] In July 2024, he returned to Portugal, signing for Liga Portugal 2 side Chaves.[10] On 1 June 2026, approaching his 40th birthday and with his contract expiring, he announced his exit.[11]

International career

Vozinha made his debut for the Cape Verde national team in September 2012 in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification playoff first leg at home to Cameroon, a 2–0 win.[12] He remained in goal for the second leg in Yaoundé on 14 October, a 2–1 loss which saw Cape Verde qualify for its first major tournament.[13] At the finals in South Africa, the team reached the quarterfinals before a 2–0 loss to Ghana. He conceded the second goal after going up for the throw-in in the lulling seconds to attack corner kick.[14]

Vozinha also played at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.[15] On 7 October 2020, he earned his 50th cap in a 2–1 friendly win away to Andorra,[16] and a year later he was called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.[17] Vozinha was called up once more to play in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[18]

Vozinha made his World Cup debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Cape Verde.[19] In the side's first game, Vozinha saved seven shots, securing a 0–0 draw for Cape Verde against a significantly higher ranked Spanish side (#2 vs #67).[20][21] He won the Player of the Match Award for his performance.[22][23]

At 40 years and 12 days old, he became the oldest player to feature in a nation's first FIFA World Cup match – breaking the record that had been set by Curaçao's Eloy Room just a day earlier – and was also the ninth-oldest player to ever feature in the tournament.[24][25] He also became the third-oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup match and, in the process, moved into second-place among goalkeepers over 40 years old for most saves in a World Cup match on record (since 1966).[26]

Personal life

Vozinha's parents wanted to name him Valdano after Argentina player Jorge Valdano, but it was not permitted by Cape Verde authorities. He was given his first name in honour of Josimar, a full-back for Brazil at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.[24] He was given his nickname by his grandparents, who raised him. He said that he played under his first name until he moved to Angola, where another goalkeeper was also called Josimar.[27]

Vozinha's younger brother, Delmiro, was also a Cape Verdean player and played for several clubs in the Cypriot Second Division.[28] His other brother, Kleidir, is a Mathematics teacher in Brazil.[29]

Vozinha gained over 12.7 million Instagram followers hours after his FIFA World Cup debut against Spain, following coverage by Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV and Portuguese broadcaster LivemodeTV, and a united campaign to help the goalkeeper reach 1 million followers to celebrate his performance.[30][31]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 9 May 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Zimbru Chișinău 2015–16 Moldovan Liga 26 0 — — 26 0
Gil Vicente 2016–17 Liga Portugal 2 28 0 0 0 1 0 29 0
AEL Limassol 2017–18 Cypriot First Division 35 0 0 0 6 0 41 0
2018–19 Cypriot First Division 13 0 0 0 — 13 0
2019–20 Cypriot First Division 23 0 2 0 2 0 27 0
2020–21 Cypriot First Division 34 0 5 0 — 39 0
2021–22 Cypriot First Division 11 0 0 0 4 0 15 0
Total 116 0 7 0 12 0 135 0
AS Trenčín 2022–23 Slovak First League 9 0 5 0 — 14 0
2023–24 Slovak First League 25 0 0 0 — 25 0
Total 34 0 5 0 — 39 0
Chaves 2024–25 Liga Portugal 2 32 0 0 0 — 32 0
2025–26 Liga Portugal 2 19 0 0 0 — 19 0
Total 51 0 0 0 — 51 0
Career total 255 0 12 0 13 0 280 0

International

As of match played 15 June 2026[32]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Cape Verde 2012 2 0
2013 10 0
2014 6 0
2015 10 0
2016 6 0
2017 6 0
2018 2 0
2019 4 0
2020 3 0
2021 7 0
2022 3 0
2023 8 0
2024 10 0
2025 9 0
2026 3 0
Total 89 0

Honours

CS Mindelense

  • Cape Verdean Football Championship: 2015

AEL Limassol

  • Cypriot Cup: 2018–19[33]

References

  1. ^ a b "FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad List" (PDF). FIFA. 15 June 2026. p. 8. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  2. ^ Criolosports (26 May 2010). "Criolosports.com: Taça de Cabo Verde: Boavista no play-off final". Criolosports.com. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  3. ^ "Cabo Verde prepara jogo decisivo contra Zimbabwe para qualificação ao CAN 2012". Panapress. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  4. ^ https://www.panapress.com/Cabo-Verde-convoca-21-jogadores-a_840492-lang4-free_news.html
  5. ^ a b "Vozinha esta de volta ao Mindelense". DTudo1Pouco (in European Portuguese). 20 March 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Vozinha foi apresentado no FC Zimbru". DTudo1Pouco (in European Portuguese). 7 July 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  7. ^ "Vozinha no Gil Vicente de Portugal" [Vozinha to Portugal's Gil Vicente]. Expresso das Ilhas (in Portuguese). 5 August 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Vozinha assina pelo AEL Limassol". O Mundo Dos Guarda-Redes (in European Portuguese). 5 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  9. ^ "Vozinha deixa o Chipre e vai representar o AS Trencin da Eslováquia". Expresso das Ilhas (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  10. ^ Mota, Sérgio (2 July 2024). "VOZINHA REFORÇA BALIZA TRANSMONTANA". GD Chaves (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  11. ^ Silva Reis, Paulo (1 June 2026). "Vozinha confirma saída do Chaves: «Foi uma honra representar este grande clube»" [Vozinha confirms Chaves exit: "It was an honour to represent this club"]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  12. ^ Singh, Sanjesh (15 June 2026). "Cape Verde goalie Vozinha's social media following explodes after Spain draw". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  13. ^ "Cape Verde's Blue Sharks swim with big fish". Gulf Times. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  14. ^ "Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde" (in Portuguese). Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Vozinha: "We always go out on the pitch to win"" [Vozinha: "We always go out on the pitch to win"]. Record (in Portuguese). 21 January 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Seleção de Cabo Verde: Vozinha completou 50 jogos pela seleção nacional" [Cape Verde national team: Vozinha completed 50 games for the national team] (in Portuguese). Gaft Sports. 12 October 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  17. ^ "Afcon 2021: Ethiopia and Cape Verde squads for finals in Cameroon where he was sent off in the round of 16 vs Senegal". BBC Sport. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  18. ^ "CAN 2023: The 26 called up". 28 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Cabo Verde announce squad for historic maiden World Cup".
  20. ^ Coates, Live ReportingCharlotte. "Spain vs Cape Verde LIVE: FIFA World Cup Group H score, commentary, updates & stats". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  21. ^ Hall, Meghan L. "Vozinha! Cape Verde goalkeeper makes unbelievable saves vs. Spain in World Cup". USA TODAY. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  22. ^ "Superior Player of the Match - every winner". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  23. ^ "Spain held by spirited Cape Verde in World Cup opener". FIFA. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). 15 June 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  24. ^ a b Conway, Elizabeth (15 June 2026). "The 40-year-old keeper who inspired Cape Verde's historic debut". BBC Sport.
  25. ^ Bell, Graham (15 June 2026). "The Oldest Players in World Cup History". theanalyst.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  26. ^ Tweedale, Ali (15 June 2026). "How Cape Verde Frustrated Spain to Pull Off One of the World Cup's Biggest Ever Shocks". theanalyst.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  27. ^ Hill, Courtney (15 June 2026). "Copa do Mundo 2026: conheça Vozinha, goleiro da seleção de Cabo Verde" [2026 World Cup: get to know Vozinha, Cape Verde national team goalkeeper] (in Portuguese). Olympics.com.
  28. ^ "Progresso contrata Delmiro, irmão de Vozinha" [Progresso hire Delmiro, brother of Vozinha] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 29 January 2014.
  29. ^ "Goleiro Vozinha: irmão mora no Recife e é professor de matemática". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 17 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  30. ^ "Vozinha vai de 53 mil a mais de 1,5 milhão de seguidores após campanha da CazéTV na Copa de 2026". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  31. ^ portalterra. "CazéTV faz mutirão por Vozinha, e goleiro de Cabo Verde ultrapassa 1,7 milhão de seguidores". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  32. ^ Vozinha at National-Football-Teams.com
  33. ^ Mantzas, Andreas (23 May 2019). "AEL Limassol end 30-year Cyprus Cup drought". AGONAsport.