COSAFA Cup gears up for full VAR implementation

VAR computers: Photo Credit: COSAFA media.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used in all Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup games in South Africa next month, organisers have said.

COSAFA Executive Director, Sue Destombes, announced the full use of VAR on Wednesday in her speech after the draw for the regional football competition scheduled for Bloemfontein from 5 to 14 June 2025.

“This tournament is the first that we will use VAR from start to finish. We started in 2023 with the COSAFA Women’s Championship, but this is the first tournament we will be using VAR from start to finish,” she said.

A preparatory workshop, facilitated by FIFA and CAF instructors, on VAR usage will be held in the build-up to the competition, Destombes added.

The COSAFA boss added that the 14-team tournament, just like previous ones, seeks to leave a lasting legacy in the host town of Bloemfontein.

“It is also about the off the field of play, giving back to the communities hosting us through legacy programmes such as coaching, sports administration and management courses, under-15 grassroots football and outreach programmes. We are looking forward to being here,” Destombes said.

The draw saw Morocco’s Atlas Lions in Group C, comprising minnows Madagascar and Eswatini, opponents that have never won the championship. However, hosts South Africa’s Bafana Bafana were drawn alongside fellow Southern African heavyweights Zimbabwe in Group A. The Warriors are six-time winners.

Holders Angola lead Group B, which also includes Namibia, Malawi and Lesotho, while record seven-time winners Zambia take on Comoros and Botswana. The 14 teams were split into four groups, two comprising four teams each and two comprising three teams. The winner of each group will proceed to the semifinals.

The Atlas Lions are set to make their debut in Southern Africa’s biggest football showpiece, which will retain last year’s format with teams facing off in group stages before going into knockouts.