Zimbabwe To Introduce VAR In Chibuku Super Cup Final On November 28
Zimbabwean football will use Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for the first time in a domestic match when the Chibuku Super Cup final takes place at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe on November 28, 2026.
The match will mark a major step in the Zimbabwe Football Association’s (ZIFA) efforts to improve officiating and reduce disputes over contentious decisions.
The final was initially scheduled for November 16 but was postponed to allow FIFA to complete the technology’s certification process.
Also Read: ZIFA Reveals US$3.2 Million Price Tag For Nationwide VAR System
ZIFA Targets Controversial Refereeing Decisions
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said the introduction of VAR was about more than meeting technical requirements, stressing the need to improve the standard of local football.
“We are happy to do this. It is not just about ticking boxes, but we are bringing sanity to the local game. Our officials need to be capacitated and supported to grow the game,” Magwizi said.
The technology is expected to assist match officials in reviewing key incidents, including disputed goals, offside decisions and potential red-card offences.
Zimbabwean football has faced recurring complaints over refereeing decisions, with controversial calls sometimes influencing match results and championship outcomes.
Government has also welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that VAR will ease pressure on referees and help address longstanding concerns about the fairness of decisions on the pitch.
Referees Undergo Intensive VAR Training
Preparations for the rollout include a 20-day training programme in Harare led by FIFA and CAF referees manager Felix Tangawarima.
The course is divided into four stages: theoretical instruction, simulation exercises, short-match exercises and full-match assessments. The programme is intended to prepare officials to operate the technology and apply its protocols during competitive matches.
Tangawarima said broadcasters would also need to adapt to the system to ensure its successful implementation.
“We may have trained the referees, but we also need the broadcasters to be moving with us on the same wavelength. If we leave the broadcasters out it will not succeed,” he said.
The involvement of broadcasters will be particularly important in integrating VAR into match coverage. The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and Zimpapers Television Network currently hold the broadcasting rights for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
US$3.2 Million Project Targets Major Stadiums
The VAR rollout is being funded by Sakunda Holdings through a US$3.2 million project, with equipment procurement already underway.
The initial installation programme targets three major venues: Rufaro Stadium and the National Sports Stadium in Harare, as well as Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
ZIFA plans to introduce the technology at selected matches rather than immediately deploying it across the entire domestic football calendar.
The Chibuku Super Cup final will therefore provide the first opportunity to use VAR in a competitive domestic fixture, marking the beginning of a new phase in Zimbabwean football officiating.
Premier Soccer League Season Nears Conclusion
The introduction of VAR comes as the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season approaches its conclusion, with Hardrock leading the standings and having only two matches remaining.
Its initial deployment at selected venues will test the country’s readiness to incorporate the technology into domestic competitions, while the training programme and broadcaster coordination remain central to the preparations.
The November 28 final is expected to be a landmark occasion for Zimbabwean football as officials prepare to use video reviews to support crucial refereeing decisions.
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