Zimbabwe football set for VAR rollout at three major stadiums

Zimbabwe is set to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at three of its leading football stadiums as part of efforts to modernise the country’s game.

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is reportedly working with Sakunda Holdings on the project, with the company expected to finance the installation of the VAR systems.

According to ZBC, the technology will initially be installed at the National Sports Stadium in Harare before being extended to Rufaro Stadium and Barbourfields Stadium.

ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi described the planned introduction of VAR as an important development for Zimbabwean football.

“In an era where technology is the in-thing across the globe, it is a huge milestone not just for ZIFA but for our entire football ecosystem to have Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment installed at the National Sports Stadium,” Magwizi said, according to The Herald, as quoted by Soccer24.

“We would love to have VAR across our major venues, but we are very grateful to Sakunda Holdings for partnering with us in the installation of VAR equipment at the National Stadium for a start, and later Rufaro and Barbourfields.

“This is in line with the modernisation which has taken place at the National Sports Stadium, which is a vital national asset and for which Sakunda played a key role.”

The National Sports Stadium is expected to be the first venue to receive the technology, with installation work due to begin as Zimbabwe continues efforts to improve its football infrastructure.

Rufaro Stadium and Barbourfields Stadium are then expected to follow, with the three-venue project reportedly targeted for completion by March 2027.

If the plans are completed on schedule, Zimbabwe will have three major stadiums capable of hosting matches using VAR.

The development could represent a significant step for the country’s domestic game, bringing Zimbabwe closer to the technological standards increasingly being adopted across African and international football.