Vozinha Awaiting Debut at Colo‑Colo After Arrival in Chile

Veteran goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, known as Vozinha, arrived in Chile on August 2 and, despite signing an 18‑month contract with a monthly salary of US$50,000, has yet to debut for Colo‑Colo.

Arrival and Contract

Josimar José Évora Dias, nicknamed Vozinha, landed in Chile on August 2 after several weeks of travel paperwork delays. The veteran, 40, was welcomed at the airport by club fans and, two days later, was officially presented at the Monumental Stadium. The contract signed with Colo‑Colo lasts 18 months and pays the goalkeeper US$50,000 per month, a five‑fold increase over the US$9,000 he earned at Chaves, Portugal.

Delay in Debut

Although the club has played two matches since Vozinha’s arrival, he has not yet been called up to the bench. Argentine coach Fernando Ortiz chose to keep the keeper on a gradual conditioning program, considering the inactivity he suffered after the 2026 World Cup ended. The athlete, who led Cape Verde in its first World Cup campaign and was named to FIFA’s XI, remains in excellent physical shape but was omitted from the squad for the last league game, a 2‑2 draw with O’Higgins.

Outlook for the Superclásico

Expectations shifted on Sunday when Vozinha was named for the first time in the lineup for the 200th Superclásico against Universidad de Chile. He will watch the match from the bench at Estadio Nacional, but the starting spot stays with Gabriel Maureira, who will remain the primary goalkeeper. The Cape Verdean keeper, who amassed over 29 million Instagram followers after the World Cup, now waits for his chance to make his mark in Chilean football.

International Context

Vozinha was the biggest revelation of the 2026 World Cup, leading Cape Verde in a historic campaign. His performances earned him a spot in FIFA’s XI and sparked a viral social media phenomenon. Before arriving in Chile, he played in lower European leagues and was a free agent at Chaves. The move to Colo‑Colo was seen as a major step in his career, and he now aims to establish himself in the South American scene.

Conclusion

While fans await Vozinha’s debut, the team sticks to Ortiz’s development plan. The goalkeeper continues intense training, with the hope that his first match will come in the upcoming game against Universidad de Chile, where Gabriel Maureira will stay on the bench.