Vozinha

Early career

Vozinha began playing in the youth ranks of Atlântico on the Cape Verdian island of São Vicente, before progressing through the youth sides of Estoril, Académica do Mindelo, and Batuque. His senior career began with local side Ribeira Bote, followed by a spell at Derby, before he returned to play for Batuque, playing for them until 2011 before moving to local city rivals Mindelense.

Progresso do Sambizanga

In 2012, he was signed by Progresso do Sambizanga in Angola, remaining for three years until the expiration of his contract.

Return to Mindelense

In March 2015, Vozinha returned to Mindelense in the São Vicente Island League, signing for one year. He played all games in the successful Cape Verdean Championship campaign, excluding the final, having already begun finalizing a move abroad.

Zimbru Chișinău

In July 2015, he joined Moldovan National Division club Zimbru Chișinău.

Gil Vicente

Vozinha moved in August 2016 to Gil Vicente of the Liga Portugal 2, in which he saved five penalties in 32 games, including two against Casa Pia in the Taça de Portugal and two against Benfica B in the league. Although he still had a year remaining on his contract, he agreed to an early termination after his form attracted interest from Cyprus.

AEL Limassol

In June 2017, he joined Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol, brought in to replace the departing Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo. He quickly became a regular…

Early tournaments (2012–2021)

Vozinha made his debut for the Cape Verde national team in 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. The squad was received by thousands of supporters on their return to the archipelago, and the players and coaching staff were later honored by president Jorge Carlos Fonseca. Vozinha also played at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, starting as Cape Verde drew all three group matches before being eliminated on goal difference behind the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 7 October 2020, he earned his 50th cap in a 2–1 friendly win away to Andorra, and in September 2021, on his 54th appearance, he became the second-most-capped player in national team history, moving ahead of Marco Soares and behind only Babanco. A year later he was called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He was sent off in the 57th minute of the round-of-16 defeat versus Senegal, after colliding with Sadio Mané with Cape Verde already reduced to ten men.

2023 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualification

After a period out of the squad, Vozinha…

Club

As of match played 26 August 2026

International

As of match played 3 July 2026

Vozinha's parents wanted to name him Valdano after Argentina player Jorge Valdano, but it was not permitted by Cape Verdean authorities. He was given his first name in honour of Josimar, a full-back for Brazil at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. As his father was in the military and his mother, Ana Évora, worked long hours, he was raised on São Vicente by his paternal grandparents; he has said he retained a close relationship with his mother, and with the island of Santo Antão, his parents' birthplace, which he continued to visit during holidays. Growing up on São Vicente without boys his own age to play with, he was often matched against older opponents; when he lost and complained to his grandparents, he was jokingly nicknamed Vozinha ("Granny"). He said that he played under his first name until he moved to Angola, where another goalkeeper was also called Josimar, prompting him to adopt Vozinha professionally. Vozinha's younger brother, Delmiro, was also a Cape Verdean player and played for several clubs in the Cypriot Second Division. His other brother, Kleidir Dias, moved to Brazil to study theology and settled in Camaragibe, Pernambuco, where he works as a private mathematics tutor. Vozinha has named former São Paulo FC goalkeeper Rogério Ceni as one of his references at the position; after Cape Verde's World Cup debut, Ceni publicly sent him a message of congratulations and support.