Johnson Progress.

Zimbabwe is set to make history in its football industry as the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kicks off today at Prophet Walter Magaya’s Heart Stadium.

 

For the first time in the country, the tournament will feature Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwean football.

 

COSAFA Head of Referees, Felix Tangawarima, a FIFA Technical Instructor and former Zimbabwean referee, expressed excitement about the development.

 

“This is the first set-up in Zimbabwe to see VAR in action, but I’m sure it won’t be the last,” Tangawarima said.

 

“It’s just the introduction, and my hope is that we will soon have this technology on a regular basis in Zimbabwe,” he added.

 

The COSAFA Under-17 qualifiers will feature 12 teams battling for a spot at next year’s Under-17 AFCON and ultimately the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

 

Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors, the national Under-17 team, are seeded in Group A alongside Mozambique, Comoros, and Eswatini.

 

The tournament will run until September 20, with matches scheduled at both Heart Stadium and Ngoni Stadium in Norton.

 

The introduction of VAR technology is expected to enhance transparency and reduce controversial decisions, potentially restoring confidence in domestic competitions.

 

Tangawarima believes this development will have a positive impact on Zimbabwean football, saying, “We are planting a seed here. If we nurture it, the benefits will extend far beyond this youth tournament.”

 

In preparation for the tournament, referees are undergoing a five-day intensive VAR training workshop at Yadah Hotel in Harare.

 

The workshop aims to equip match officials with the necessary skills to effectively utilize VAR technology during the tournament.

 

A press briefing is scheduled for today, attended by key stakeholders, including ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi, Sports and Recreation Commission Director-General Eltah Nengomasha, COSAFA Executive Director Sue Destombes, and COSAFA executive member Timothy Shongwe.

 

The briefing will highlight logistics, security, and infrastructural arrangements made to ensure a smooth hosting of the tournament.