Santiago de Chile, Nov 5 (EFE) – Cape Verde keeper Josimar “Vozinha” Évora Dias declared he’s eager to feature in next year’s Libertadores, even as Colo‑Colo eye a decisive league showdown against Ñublense this Sunday. Could this be his breakthrough?
“I came here to play in the Libertadores, but my focus is this week, a crucial period for Colo‑Colo,” the African‑born goalkeeper told reporters.
While fans dream of an early championship, the 40‑year‑old’s future remains under wraps; he insists decisions will come later and he isn’t dwelling on them now.
We must gear up for the next match. The title is within reach and we’ll fight for it. Football is unpredictable, yet we’re locked in and confident we can clinch victory on the day.
Vozinha’s stay at the Cacique beyond 2027 hinges on contractual clauses.
He signed a six‑month deal expiring next December, featuring an automatic extension if he logs at least half of the team’s minutes during the stipulated period.
So far he has amassed 450 minutes. Colo‑Colo still have 540 minutes left – four league games plus two Copa Chile semifinals – and he must start three of them and add at least another 45 minutes to trigger the clause.
That target now looks attainable; when Argentine coach Fernando Ortiz arrived, he didn’t guarantee a starting role, but the goalkeeper’s position has since solidified.
My adaptation has improved, he admitted. The start was tough, but I’m much better now. In my view, his growing confidence could be the missing piece for Colo‑Colo’s title chase.
All signs point to Vozinha finishing the campaign as the first‑choice keeper for the league‑leading Albos, who sit on 58 points, ten clear of Universidad de Chile.
The first chance to lift the trophy comes on matchday 27, when Colo‑Colo travel to face Ñublense, a side still fighting for a Copa Sudamericana spot.
We don’t worry about home or away titles. Our goal stays the same, and we’ll work daily to improve. We’ll do everything to ensure a positive result, the keeper affirmed.
The Chilean league is tough, he added, with every opponent delivering quality football and the competition tightly balanced.
Winning the league would give Vozinha his first senior trophy outside Cape Verde, after triumphs with Mindelense and a Cyprus Cup at AEL Limassol. Will his experience tip the scales in Colo‑Colo’s favor?
Photo by mjr/car