Zimbabwe is set to enter a new era in football technology as Heart Stadium becomes the first local venue to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 COSAFA Qualifiers, which kick off on Thursday and run until September 20.
The milestone comes as Zimbabwe hosts the regional youth tournament for the very first time, with matches scheduled at both Heart Stadium and Ngoni Stadium in Norton. Twelve teams from Southern Africa will battle for the prestigious regional crown, a place at next year’s Under-17 AFCON, and ultimately the chance to feature at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
COSAFA’s Head of Referees, Felix Tangawarima, a former FIFA referee and respected Technical Instructor, is leading a five-day intensive VAR training workshop at Yadah Hotel in Harare. The workshop is designed to prepare match officials for the demands of using VAR for the first time in Zimbabwean football.
Tangawarima described the development as a landmark moment not only for the tournament but for the country’s footballing future.
“This is the first set-up in Zimbabwe to see VAR in action, but I’m sure it won’t be the last. This is just the introduction, and my hope is that we will soon have this technology on a regular basis across Zimbabwe,” he said.
VAR comes to Zimbabwe
The adoption of VAR aligns Zimbabwe with international football trends, where the system has been credited with reducing refereeing errors and enhancing fairness in decision-making.
Zimbabwe’s Under-17 national team, the Young Warriors, have been drawn in Group A alongside Mozambique, Comoros, and Eswatini. Despite delays in the team selection process, head coach Thulani Sibanda expressed confidence in his squad.
“I believe the selection process was transparent, and we picked the best talent available across the country, from Mutasa to Bindura and Dete. The boys are motivated, and we are determined to make the nation proud,” Sibanda said.
Zimbabwe last lifted the Under-17 COSAFA title in 2007 and reached the semi-finals in 2024, marking a resurgence after years of absence due to eligibility issues and logistical challenges. Returning stars include Scotland-based winger Tadiwa Chakuchichi, goalkeeper Siyanda Zimba, Awakhiwe Tshalibe of Chicken Inn, Tatenda Maulidi of Legends Academy, and Golden Eagles forward Elshadai Sadomba.
The qualifiers promise fierce battles, with defending champions Zambia and perennial contenders South Africa drawn in what observers have dubbed the “Group of Death” in Group B. Group C features Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, and Lesotho.
Football analysts say the presence of traditional powerhouses like Zambia and South Africa raises the stakes, while emerging teams such as Comoros and Eswatini could provide upsets.
For Zimbabwe, home advantage and the energy of local supporters could prove vital as they attempt to end an 18-year wait for another Under-17 regional crown.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Local Organising Committee, chaired by Thomas Marambanyika, are set to host a major press briefing in Harare today to update stakeholders on preparations.
Expected attendees include ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi, Sports and Recreation Commission Director-General Eltah Nengomasha, COSAFA Executive Director Sue Destombes, and COSAFA Executive Member Timothy Shongwe. The press conference will also highlight logistics, security, and infrastructural arrangements made to ensure smooth hosting of the tournament.
Organisers say the hosting rights present an opportunity for Zimbabwe to reassert itself as a capable destination for major sporting events, despite years of isolation and challenges in football governance.
Beyond the competition, the introduction of VAR has been hailed as a symbolic leap forward for Zimbabwean football. For years, refereeing standards in the country have faced criticism, with local fans and clubs calling for improved officiating.
VAR’s arrival is expected to enhance transparency and reduce controversial decisions, a move that could restore confidence in domestic competitions should the technology be adopted beyond the tournament.
For Tangawarima and COSAFA, the decision to pilot VAR in Zimbabwe reflects faith in the country’s football institutions and infrastructure. “We are planting a seed here,” Tangawarima noted. “If we nurture it, the benefits will extend far beyond this youth tournament.”
As kick-off approaches, excitement is building among players, officials, and fans. The COSAFA Under-17 Qualifiers are not only a chance for young talent to shine but also a test of Zimbabwe’s organisational capacity and its embrace of football’s technological evolution.
For the Young Warriors, the mission is clear: rise to the challenge, fight for qualification, and prove that Zimbabwe remains a force in regional football. For the nation, the tournament marks history in the making—a moment when VAR comes to Zimbabwe, blending tradition with innovation in the beautiful game.
source- byo
