Cape Verde goalkeeper Bojinha’s mother granted visa to watch World Cup match

The experienced goalkeeper from Cape Verde, Bojinha’s mother, will finally be able to watch the World Cup match live in America this week. Her visa process was facilitated through the efforts of the American State Department and members of the American House of Representatives, including Democratic Party leader and minority leader Hakeem Jeffries.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Jeffries mentioned that Bojinha’s mother would receive her visa before the match against Uruguay in Miami on Sunday, adding, “All fees have been waived according to government policy. Arrangements are also being made for the reunion of mother and son in Miami.”

An official from the American State Department confirmed that they are in direct contact with Bojinha’s mother, providing necessary services. After a sensational draw against Spain on Monday, Bojinha had expressed that his mother couldn’t attend the match due to financial reasons, and he was emotional while remembering her during a conversation with journalists.

He said, “She couldn’t come here because of the visa fees. We couldn’t complete the process in time. I felt tears thinking she could have been here.”

Cape Verde is among the 50 countries whose citizens are required to pay a bond of up to 15,000 American dollars due to a high likelihood of overstaying visas under new American administration rules.

However, when asked about Bojinha’s comments, an American official stated that there was no record of his mother applying for a visa. They also clarified that the bond fee is automatically waived for the families of World Cup players.

According to the official, “There is no record of this individual applying for a visa. All immediate family members of players are eligible for a visa bond waiver, and the ministry is actively working to assist the family.”

According to a source cited by CNN, Bojinha’s mother currently does not have a valid passport, and that process is also underway. The American State Department has clearly stated on its website that the visa bond arrangement does not apply to players, coaches, support staff, and their immediate family members from countries participating in the World Cup, but they must meet all other visa requirements.

Bojinha, a 40-year-old goalkeeper, plays in Portugal’s second-tier league. He made seven outstanding saves against Spain, frustrating a team considered one of the tournament’s favorites. Many had predicted that Cape Verde, participating in the World Cup for the first time, would lose by a large margin to Spain.

However, Bojinha and his defenders managed to hold off Spain’s attacks for 90 minutes, securing one point. This result is considered one of the most significant achievements in Cape Verde’s football history. The small island nation with a population of about 530,000 has been in a celebratory mood since.

Football fans worldwide have also praised the team, bringing Bojinha, previously not widely known, into the global spotlight. Encouraged by a Brazilian television presenter, Bojinha’s Instagram popularity has surged.

Before the match, he had only 50,000 followers, but that number has now reached 13 million. Cape Verde, in Group ‘H’, will face Uruguay on 8 Ashadh and will play their final match against the Asian team Saudi Arabia on the 13th.