For the first time in the competition’s history, the 2023 ABSA Cup final, won by Forest Rangers on Saturday at the Woodlands Stadium, featured the use of a video assistant referee (VAR).
Zambia became the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to roll out VAR in domestic competition.
They are only the third African country, following Morocco and Egypt, to implement VAR in domestic matches. It has been in use by the two North African countries for the past two years.
Forest Rangers won the much-anticipated final, defeating the crowd’s favourite, FC Muza, 2-0. Quadri Kola’s goal and Chanda Chileshe’s own goal in the first half were enough.
The match, however, was officiated by non-Zambians, with Egypt’s Amin Omer serving as the centre referee and his compatriots Mahamound Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Tata serving as the first and second officials, respectively.
Mohmoud Nagy also from Egypt was the fourth official of the day.
In the VAR room, Morocco’s Samir Guezzaz and Daniel Laryea from Ghana were the video assistant referees. Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha was also among the supporting VAR officials.
Why were all four match officials from North Africa?
FAZ referees manager Aziph Banda told Bolanews in an exclusive interview that the match was overseen by non-Zambians since the country does not have FIFA-certified VAR referees.
“The regulations for VAR (Video Assistant Referee) are that when there is VAR, the game is supposed to be officiated by referees that are certified,” he said. “In Zambia right now, we only have one lady who is certified to officiate VAR, and that is Diana Chikotesha. We used to have two with Janny Sikazwe, but now he is retired.”
Banda also revealed that the use of VAR was a pilot project.
“This was a pilot project,’ he said. “It was actually brought to see if at all we can manage… But after going through it, I think everyone is able to see that it’s manageable.”
He also disclosed that it is an expensive venture but expressed optimism that it is in the country to stay.
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Banda further stated that the technology will now be rolled out in phases in the Zambian Super League next season.
“The plan now is that in the next season, we will introduce it in phases in the Super League.”
Meanwhile, COSAFA Secretary General Sue Destombes told SABC Sports today that the VAR referees that were available in the region couldn’t officiate the ABSA Cup final because they were on CAF assignments on the same day.
She disclosed that the FAZ had to hire officials from Egypt, Morocco, and Ghana “at a huge cost” because the region had no VAR referees available.
