Colo goalkeeper Vozinha earns African Goalkeeper of the Year nomination
Vozinha collected a nomination for the CAF Awards Best Goalkeeper of the Year, Dale Albo reported.
The Confederation of African Football announced the candidate list across social media channels, featuring the Cape Verde captain among ten contenders for the continent’s top individual goalkeeping honor. The squad of Colo is totally concentrated for what will be the commitment against Ñublense, with the whites having returned to training during this week, which can be quite special since they can obtain a new title.
Global recognition follows World Cup performances
The international acknowledgment arrives on the heels of the 40-year-old goalkeeper’s sixth-place finish for the Lev Yashin Award at the Ballon d’Or gala, according to La Tercera.
Cooperativa reported that his inclusion stems from strong displays for Cape Verde during the North American World Cup, where he had a prominent participation alongside Cape Verde, with the official CAF site highlighting that Vozinha is among the nominees due to his great performance in the World Cup.
Dale Albo noted that Vozinha joined the Chilean club earlier this year. He has since appeared in five matches across all competitions, conceding three goals and keeping two clean sheets, consisting of one match in the Copa Chile and four in the Liga de Primera.
Tough competition across global leagues
Vozinha faces elite competition for the continental prize, including Moroccan international Yassine Bounou of Al-Hilal and Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy of Al-Ahli, as detailed by La Tercera.
Bounou and Mendy also competed with Vozinha in the aspiration of staying with the Lev Yashin award granted by the French magazine France Football, with Bounou and Mendy appearing alongside Vozinha as the most recognizable in the list and being able to be named with their nickname “Bono”.
The complete ten-man shortlist also includes Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns, Yahia Fofana of Rizespor, Lionel Mpasi of Le Havre, Mostafa Shobeir of Al Ahly, El Mahdy Soliman of Zamalek, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti of FAR Rabat, and Oussama Benbot of USM Alger.
Victory against Ñublense could secure 35th league title
RedGol reported that the veteran goalkeeper was expected to start Sunday, November 8, against Ñublense at Estadio Bicentenario Nelson Oyarzún.
Dale Albo stated that a victory in that match would secure the club’s 35th Primera Division league title, giving the Cacique the possibility of securing the Liga de Primera against the chillanejos and achieving their 35th title in history.
