Josimar José Évora Dias, known as Vozinha, is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga Portugal 2 club Chaves and the Cape Verde national team. He was born on 3 June 1986 in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde.
⚽ Early Club Career
Vozinha began his career at local club Batuque, playing for them until 2011 before moving to local city rivals Mindelense. In 2012, he was signed by Progresso do Sambizanga in Angola, remaining for three years until the expiration of his contract.
In March 2015, Vozinha returned to Mindelense in the São Vicente Island League, signing for one year. He played all games in the Cape Verdean Championship, excluding the final.
🌍 International Club Moves
In July 2015, he joined Moldovan National Division club Zimbru Chișinău. Vozinha moved in August 2016 to Gil Vicente of the Liga Portugal 2, in which he saved five penalties in 32 games.
In June 2017, he joined Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol. 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.
In July 2024, he returned to Portugal, signing for Liga Portugal 2 side Chaves. On 1 June 2026, approaching his 40th birthday and with his contract expiring, he announced his exit.
🇨🇻 National Team Debut and Tournaments
Vozinha made his debut for the Cape Verde national team on 8 September 2012 in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification playoff first leg at home to Cameroon, a 2–0 win. 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.
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.
Vozinha also played at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. On 7 October 2020, he earned his 50th cap in a 2–1 friendly win away to Andorra, and a year later he was called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Vozinha was called up once more to play in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
🏆 World Cup Debut and Records
Vozinha made his World Cup debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Cape Verde. 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). He won the Player of the Match Award for his performance.
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. 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).
👤 Personal Life and Nickname
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. 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. Vozinha’s younger brother, Delmiro, was also a Cape Verdean player and played for several clubs in the Cypriot Second Division.
📱 Social Media Following
Vozinha gained over 8.1 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.
| Category | Detail | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Josimar José Évora Dias | Nickname | Vozinha |
| Date of Birth | 3 June 1986 | Position | Goalkeeper |
| Current Club (2024) | Chaves (Liga Portugal 2) | National Team Debut | 8 September 2012 vs Cameroon |
| Major Tournaments | 2013, 2015, 2021, 2023 AFCON; 2026 World Cup | World Cup Record | Oldest player in nation’s first World Cup match (40 years, 12 days) |