Zimbabwe to begin VAR referee training on 25 October

Zimbabwe will begin training referees to operate Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology on 25 October, Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president Nqobile Magwizi has told SABC Sport.

The association has already completed the necessary administrative steps with FIFA and plans to have the initial training programme finished by 16 November.

Magwizi said ZIFA was determined to introduce VAR in the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League, despite beginning its preparations later than South Africa, whose own plans have been delayed.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport on the sidelines of the CAF Strategy Conference on Sal Island in Cape Verde, Magwizi confirmed that the process in Zimbabwe was moving ahead.

“Yes, we are doing this on the 25th of October we’ll start the training. We’ve already signed all the necessary paperwork with FIFA,” he said.

“We have set up all the VAR accounts so the VAR programme starts on the 25th and we are looking at completing it around the 16th of November at which point we can then go on and do some actual matches where they can train the referees at real match scenarios. So, we are very excited about that as well.”

Once the classroom and technical work is complete, referees will be able to develop their skills during matches using real-game situations.

A central figure in Zimbabwe’s implementation plans is Felix Tangawarima, the COSAFA Head of Referees. Tangawarima has already overseen the introduction of VAR at COSAFA and brings experience of managing the technology’s rollout.

Magwizi believes that expertise will help ZIFA establish the system carefully and efficiently.

“We are privileged to have him and he’s been very supportive. As I mentioned before he has already trained about seven VAR referees from Zimbabwe and now we have to increase them so that, once we start rolling out the VAR, we have enough referees to be able to take care of what’s needed for referees under VAR,” he added.

ZIFA’s next priority is therefore to expand the number of officials trained in VAR operations. The association wants to ensure it has enough referees available when the technology is eventually used in competitive matches in the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League.