Story by Anashe Murombedzi
THE Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA qualifiers kick off in Zimbabwe this Thursday, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology set to be used during the tournament.
The Heart Stadium in Harare and Ngoni Stadium in Norton have been inspected and approved by FIFA to host the tournament.
The stadia have also met the necessary criteria for VAR implementation.
“The stadiums have met the required standards for VAR implementation, and we are confident that the technology will enhance the accuracy and fairness of match officiating in the tournament,” COSAFA VAR project manager, Felix Tangawarima said.
With VAR implementation, Zimbabwean football is taking a significant step in aligning with global trends.
The technology promises to reduce clear errors in match officiating, enhance the game’s integrity, and provide a fairer competition for the young players.
In preparation for the tournament, a five-day training workshop for VAR match officials was conducted in Harare.
Beyond hosting the COSAFA tournament, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is looking to build a strong foundation for the future.
“These tournaments are instrumental in junior development, and my focus is on strengthening systems that identify talent from under-11 level, which will ultimately feed into the new generation of Warriors. This long-term approach aims to nurture young talent and propel Zimbabwean football to greater heights,” ZIFA president, Nqobile Magwizi said.
The 12-team tournament features Zimbabwe in Group A alongside Mozambique, Comoros and Eswatini.
Group B will see Zambia squaring off with South Africa, Madagascar and Malawi, while Group C comprises Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, and Lesotho.
The finals will serve as a gateway to the newly expanded 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Africa will have 10 slots.
