South Africa and Tanzania have confirmed the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in their domestic leagues, marking a significant stride in aligning African football with global officiating standards.
South Africa’s Premier Soccer League will officially roll out VAR at the beginning of the upcoming season.
The decision, backed by league authorities, is aimed at minimising refereeing errors, improving match outcomes, and boosting the league’s credibility on the international stage.
It represents a crucial turning point for South African football, which has long grappled with officiating inconsistencies in high-profile fixtures.
In East Africa, the Tanzanian Premier League is also preparing to incorporate VAR, initially targeting high-profile and decisive matches.
The implementation will be rolled out gradually, with priority given to fixtures with major implications for the title race and continental qualification.
The Tanzanian Football Federation has enlisted the support of international specialists to train local referees, aiming for a smooth and effective integration of the system.
This dual implementation reflects a wider continental shift toward technological innovation in football administration.
Both nations are following in the footsteps of Morocco, which pioneered the use of VAR in Africa by introducing it into its domestic league in 2019.
Egypt quickly followed in 2020, bringing the technology into its Premier League and setting a standard that others are now striving to emulate.
The adoption of VAR across more African leagues is being hailed not just as a technological upgrade, but as a fundamental step in the pursuit of fair play, transparency, and global competitiveness.
By reducing the margin for human error, leagues hope to reinforce the integrity of their competitions, protect the interests of clubs and players, and increase the quality of the football product being offered to fans both locally and abroad.
For South Africa, this move comes amid efforts to modernise domestic football infrastructure and improve the overall reputation of the Premier Soccer League.
VAR is expected to bring greater accuracy to crucial decisions such as offside calls, penalty incidents, and red card offences, all of which have been flashpoints in recent seasons.
Tanzania, meanwhile, is leveraging VAR as part of a broader strategy to elevate its football standing within the continent.
With increasing investments in club development and infrastructure, the integration of VAR adds another layer of professionalism to the rapidly growing league.
As the systems are rolled out, challenges remain. Ensuring that referees are properly trained and that the technology is used consistently will be key to its long-term success.
Both federations have acknowledged these concerns and have initiated referee development programmes to support the transition.
The growing embrace of VAR in Africa underscores the continent’s commitment to enhancing the quality of its football.
As more countries join the movement, the continent edges closer to aligning with global standards, offering players and fans a fairer, more reliable, and ultimately more compelling footballing experience.
