Cameroon's Roger Milla and Cape Verde's Vozinha inspire Africa and captivate the world despite their age.
From Johnson Fernandez
Watching Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper Vozinha at this World Cup has brought back memories of another African football legend — Roger Milla.
At first glance, the comparison may seem unusual. One was a striker who thrilled the world with goals. The other is a goalkeeper winning admiration with saves.
One danced at the corner flag. The other patrols the penalty area. Yet, both men share something far more important.
They arrived at the World Cup carrying the burden of age and left the world talking about possibility.
Milla was 38 when he captivated the football world at Italia ’90. Vozinha, now 40, is doing much the same for Cape Verde in 2026.
One a goal scorer. One a goal stopper. Both refuse to surrender to time.
The comparison struck me immediately because I was fortunate enough to witness the Roger Milla phenomenon first-hand.
I was at the San Siro in Milan on June 8, 1990 when defending champions Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, opened their World Cup campaign against Cameroon.
Nobody gave the Africans much chance. The football world expected Argentina to win comfortably.
Instead, Francois Omam-Biyik’s famous header secured a stunning 1-0 victory and sent shockwaves around the globe.
What followed remains one of the greatest World Cup stories ever told. At the centre of it all was Roger Milla.
Coming off the bench, the veteran striker scored four goals and inspired Cameroon to become the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals of a World Cup.
His corner-flag dance became iconic. His impact became legendary.
But beyond the goals, Milla changed football’s perception of ageing athletes. He showed that experience could be every bit as valuable as youthful energy.
Many thought Italia ’90 would be his farewell. Instead, he returned to the US four years later.
By then, he was 42.
Most footballers at that age are content to relive memories. Roger Milla was still making them.
Against Russia at the 1994 World Cup, he scored to become the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, a record that remains intact more than three decades later.
Italia ’90 made him famous. USA ’94 made him immortal.
During the 1994 World Cup in the US, I would meet Roger Milla again in Los Angeles.
Four years had passed, but the aura remained. The smile was the same. The charisma was unmistakable.
As we spoke, I was reminded that some footballers transcend statistics and trophies. They become symbols.
Roger Milla became a symbol of resilience, longevity and defiance.
Which is why Vozinha’s performances resonate so strongly today. Cape Verde were never expected to command global attention.
Yet here they are, standing toe-to-toe with football’s established powers. At the heart of their campaign stands a veteran goalkeeper whose greatest asset is not speed or athleticism but experience.
His calmness inspires confidence. His leadership settles teammates. His presence reminds us that football intelligence cannot be measured by a stopwatch.
As Cape Verde prepare for another crucial encounter against Uruguay, many eyes will naturally focus on the forwards. Mine will be on the goalkeeper.
Because football history has a habit of repeating itself.
Thirty-six years ago, Roger Milla inspired Africa and captivated the world.
Today, Vozinha is writing his own chapter.
The names are different. The positions are different. But the message remains exactly the same.
Never underestimate experience. Never dismiss resilience. And never assume age determines destiny.
Roger Milla taught us that lesson. - FMT
Johnson Fernandez is a former sports editor and an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
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