SANTIAGO (Sports Desk) — The National Association of Professional Football (ANFP) in Chile has officially granted special authorization for Cape Verde international goalkeeper Vozinha to feature his nickname on the back of his playing shirt for Colo Colo. The regulatory exemption bypasses standard domestic naming protocols, allowing the veteran shot-stopper to maintain his distinct footballing identity in South American club competition.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper, whose legal name is Josimar Dias, arrived in the Chilean capital following a historic individual campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Vozinha emerged as one of the tournament’s most celebrated figures, anchoring a Cape Verde squad that captured global attention by advancing deep into the knockout rounds in North America before being eliminated in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Colo Colo officials welcomed their new marquee signing with a large-scale presentation ceremony at the Estadio Monumental. Thousands of supporters gathered to witness the formal unveiling of the African goalkeeper, who signed a short-term contract with the Chilean powerhouse after parting ways with Slovakian side AS Trenčín at the conclusion of his international duties.
The regulatory intervention by the Chilean football federation resolves a minor administrative hurdle that threatened to delay his competitive debut. Under standard ANFP licensing rules, professional players are mandated to display their official paternal surnames on matchday kits. However, club executives successfully argued that the “Vozinha” moniker—which translates to “little grandmother” in Portuguese—holds significant global brand equity following his summer exploits.
Colo Colo manager Jorge Almirón heavily prioritized the acquisition of the Cape Verde veteran to inject high-level international experience into his defensive backline ahead of the upcoming Copa Libertadores knockout phase. Club doctors confirmed that Vozinha passed his comprehensive medical screening without restriction and will join first-team training sessions immediately on Friday afternoon.
Football analysts in Santiago view the high-profile transfer as a major marketing and sporting coup for the Chilean top flight. By securing the signature of a verified World Cup icon, Colo Colo aims to capitalize on his peak global popularity, with sports retail outlets reporting record-breaking pre-orders for the newly authorized number-one jersey.
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