Zimbabwean football has taken a major step towards introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, with the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) officially launching the process in Harare.
A two-day VAR kick-off meeting has brought together experts from FIFA and CAF, ZIFA officials, Premier Soccer League representatives, stadia owners, referees and other key football stakeholders.
The meeting marks the beginning of a project aimed at improving match officiating and strengthening the credibility of domestic competitions.
The FIFA-led training programme is scheduled to run from October 25 to November 16, with the Chibuku Super Cup final on November 16 targeted to become the first match in Zimbabwe to use VAR technology.
The technology will also be introduced from the semi-final stage of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
The initiative comes as the ZIFA administration, which assumed office last year, continues efforts to modernise Zimbabwean football and align domestic competitions with international standards.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said the introduction of VAR was about more than simply adopting new technology, stressing the need to strengthen the capacity of match officials.
“We are happy to do this. It is not just about ticking boxes, but we are bringing sanity to the local game. We have seen referees being suspended because of decisions not consistent with their training, but not that they are bad. Our officials need to be capacitated and supported to grow the game,” he said.
Sakunda Holdings, which is supporting the project, said it remained committed to improving the standard of Zimbabwean football.
“We are committed to supporting local football. We have been here before, helping to make sure the National Sports Stadium is back to hosting international matches. We support local clubs and our cause is to make Zimbabwe football better,” said Sakunda Group Chief Operations Officer Mberikwazvo Charles Chitambo.
FIFA will provide technical expertise throughout the training programme, with local officials and other personnel being trained to operate the VAR system.
CAF Referees Manager Felix Tangawarima said FIFA would certify the officials after they had met the required standards.
“We have the best experts coming through from FIFA. All the training is going to be done by FIFA and, when they are satisfied, they are the ones that will certify the officials,” he said.
However, Mr Tangawarima cautioned that the November 16 target could be affected if the officials were not adequately prepared.
“If the officials are not ready, we might miss the 16th of November, because we are going to be going step by step using all the FIFA guidelines,” he said.
Zimbabwe already has a foundation for the programme, with seven officials having undergone VAR training.
Top referee Brighton Chimene is among the experienced officials, having officiated at Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and CAF Champions League matches, while other Zimbabwean referees have gained exposure through COSAFA competitions.
That experience is expected to assist the country as it moves from preparation to implementation.
With VAR already being used in South Africa, Zimbabwe’s initiative represents another step towards modernising football officiating in the region.
If the training and certification process is successfully completed, the Chibuku Super Cup final in November could mark a new chapter in Zimbabwean football, bringing technology-assisted decision-making to domestic competitions.
