The Football Association of Zambia(FAZ) says more Zambian referees received training in the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology as they hope to fully implement it in the Zambian Super League following its trial during the 2023 ABSA Cup. 

The association also stated that, once completely implemented, VAR will help to reduce the rising poor officiating that has recently dominated the Zambian Super League.

On Wednesday this week, FAZ suspended an official for subpar officiating involved in a Week 17 fixture between home side Kabwe Warriors and FC MUZA in which Warriors were denied a goal. 

Meanwhile, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga told the media during an end-of-year media interaction that the association is putting in the effort to make sure the implementation of VAR in the Super League is successful.

“This year alone, we had more referees trained in the video Assistant Referee Technology (VAR). We did a pilot project with the ABSA Cup final and have continued to build on that inaugural trial. 

“Some of our match officials were exposed to the VAR experience at the 2023 Cosafa Women Championship, where our retired Janny Sikazwe was engaged as an instructor.”

“Diana Chikotesha, will serve as an assistant referee at the 2023 AfCON. All these developments are a demonstration of our commitment and re-enforce our resolve to introduce VAR in Zambia,”

READ ALSO: FAZ set to handover Solwezi Independence stadium.

The 2023 ABSA Cup final between Forest Rangers and FC MUZA saw the first-ever usage of VAR.

Zambia became the first sub-Saharan nation after Egypt and Morocco to use VAR in an official match.