Cape Verdean star goalkeeper Vozinha has sparked a new debate in Chilean football. While the Chilean league’s governing body (ANFP) has granted him special permission to use his nickname on his jersey, his move to the country’s traditional club Colo-Colo remains uncertain.
On Friday, the ANFP unanimously decided that Vozinha would be allowed to use his well-known nickname instead of his family name on the jersey of his choice — a decision that required a change to the Chilean league’s rules. Until now, Chilean club football had required players to use only their family names on jerseys.
Vozinha’s full name is Josimar José Évora Dias, though in the football world he is better known simply as “Vozinha.” It is understood that one of the conditions of his move to Colo-Colo was permission to use this name on his jersey.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper was announced by Colo-Colo last week as one of the club’s biggest signings ahead of the new season. However, despite being due to arrive in Santiago on Tuesday, his trip was postponed to Thursday due to visa complications — and in the end, he did not board that flight either.
Speculation about the transfer has swirled since then. However, Colo-Colo director Jaime Pizarro said there is no risk of the deal falling through. He told reporters on Thursday night that the club had been in contact with Vozinha’s agent just minutes earlier, and that the goalkeeper had asked for time to sort out some personal matters.
Meanwhile, according to local media reports, club president Aníbal Mosa admitted at the ANFP meeting that a formal contract with Vozinha has not yet been signed.
Colo-Colo coach Fernando Ortiz also said he had spoken directly with Vozinha.
“We’ve spoken to him. We understand he’s quite happy — he doesn’t usually show much emotion, but he’s thrilled about the prospect of coming here. He just has to sort out some personal matters first,” Ortiz said.
“If a player like him joins our league, everyone will naturally take notice. Hopefully, he’ll resolve the issue and join us very soon.”
Vozinha, though active on social media, has not yet made any public comment on the possible move.
