COSAFA's VAR rollout plan could offer SAFA, PSL a timely boost

Destombes says they will start with VAR training around October this year and run it full steam early in 2024.

This would come as a boost to the South African Football Association (SAFA), who don’t seem to have a clear plan for the introduction of VAR in the country as yet.

"They took a decision themselves earlier this year with the discussions with the zones that they were going to invest in VAR equipment. They put it out to tender, the equipment is being purchased. So, we will be the proud lessees if not owners of the VAR equipment, come October," she said.

"This equipment has really come at the right time and we will be embarking on training in the last quarter of 2023 and going full tilt in 2024. Both in South Africa we are doing regional courses that CAF may ask us to do and we will do as well making the equipment available for our member associations."

The Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) general manager Andile “Ace” Ncobo says they are waiting for SAFA to action the VAR plan and reveals there’s been a little progress from their side.

"It's 100% a SAFA issue, remember that the PSL is merely a receipt of a service from SAFA. That service being a refeering service. So, any innovation in that regard is 100% the prerogative of SAFA. Where the football association of South Africa, SAFA requires any input from our side, we are willing and ready to do that."

SAFA earlier vowed to roll the VAR out in the country from next season, but the Chairperson of the National Referees Committee (NRC) and respected former FIFA referee Victor Gomes was quick to rectify that this is not guaranteed as a lot of training needs to take place beforehand.

Currently, there are only two VAR-trained match officials in the country – Akhona Makalima and Zakhele Siwela, following Gomes’ retirement last year.