Staff Writer SAKUNDA Holdings has committed to installing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at three of Zimbabwe’s major football stadiums under a partnership with the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
The National Sports Stadium in Harare will be the first venue to receive the technology, with the system expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Rufaro Stadium in Harare and Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo are scheduled to follow, with VAR installations at the two venues targeted for completion by March 2027.
The agreement is expected to mark a significant step in the modernisation of Zimbabwean football by bringing video-assisted officiating to some of the country’s most prominent football venues.
ZIFA negotiated the partnership with Sakunda Holdings, which has committed to supporting the implementation of the project across the three stadiums.
The introduction of VAR is expected to strengthen match officiating and bring Zimbabwean football closer to international standards as the country continues efforts to modernise the game.
Commenting on this positive development ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said in an era where technology was the in-thing across the globe, it is a huge milestone not just for the football mother body but for our entire football ecosystem to have VAR equipment installed at the National Sports Stadium.
“We would love to have VAR across our major venues but we are very grateful to Sakunda Holdings for partnering us in the installation of VAR equipment at the National Stadium for a start. This is in line with the modernisation which has taken place at the stadium, which is a vital national asset and for which Sakunda played a key role,” he said.
He said the installation of VAR equipment would not only enhance the bid for full homologation of the stadium by CAF but will assist more of our referees to acquaint themselves with the technology without incurring the expenses of having to travel to other countries for the training.
“Apart from FIFA and CAF, COSAFA has already started using VAR at its tournaments which is a clear testimony that VAR is here to stay and was only imperative that as Zimbabwe we also move in sync with the global trends,” said Magwizi.
