Chikoya says Zimbabwe’s VAR plans driven by refereeing concerns

Former Orlando Pirates defender Innocent Chikoya believes concerns over alleged bribery and match-fixing in Zimbabwe have helped push the country ahead of South Africa in introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

Zimbabwe is scheduled to use VAR for the first time on 28 November, when Hardrock face Highlanders in the Chibuku Super Cup final at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe.

Match officials and media practitioners are already taking part in practical training before the system’s expected launch. If the plan goes ahead, Zimbabwe would become the first Sub-Saharan African country to introduce VAR.

The development has attracted attention in South Africa, where the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has not yet set out a clear timetable for adopting the technology.

Chikoya told KickOff that allegations of referees being offered money to influence matches had been a major factor behind Zimbabwe’s move.

“I think now in Zim it is being pushed by the type of refereeing it is happening there, there are bribery issues that are happening in Zim, money exchanging hands in terms of winning the league,” he said.

He suggested some clubs were attempting to use their financial strength to gain an advantage and that VAR was being viewed as a way to address growing frustration over officiating.

“So I think it is being pushed by that, to say there are other teams looking to win games by using their financial muscles. You listen to the comments from everybody’s eyes, ear, whatever, to say this team wants to win the league, they have a lot of money, trying to bribe individuals.”

Chikoya also questioned the decision to bring referees from Kenya to oversee matches, arguing that foreign officials would not necessarily be immune from the same pressures.

“Now you take referees from Kenya to come and handle our games, which is a bad picture. Even that one from Kenya can be given money, because what’s the difference? Give those local ones. I think that’s the reason it is being pushed,” he added.

He identified increased investment in Zimbabwean football as another reason for the urgency surrounding VAR. According to Chikoya, greater spending by clubs has raised expectations and intensified calls for stronger safeguards.

“In Zimbabwe now, the financial muscle is (massive). You can see how clubs are paying players and coaches, if you can look (Willard) Katsande is back home, Kaitano (Tembo) is back home. You can see now there is more money being put into football. So it is more pushing because of what is happening. People are now fed up,” the former Warriors international said.

Zimbabwe has also received support from Felix Tangawarima, the COSAFA Head of Referees, who has been conducting VAR training for officials across the region.

Tangawarima has recently been enlisted by the South African Football Association (SAFA) to help speed up South Africa’s own implementation process.