Published: 5 hours ago

Zimbabwe is set to make history as Heart Stadium becomes the first local football venue to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology during the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 COSAFA Qualifiers, which kick off this Thursday and run until September 20.

The tournament, hosted for the first time in Zimbabwe, will also see matches played at Ngoni Stadium in Norton, with 12 regional teams vying for qualification to next year's Under-17 AFCON and a chance to compete in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

COSAFA Head of Referees Felix Tangawarima, a FIFA Technical Instructor and former Zimbabwean referee, is overseeing a five-day VAR training workshop for match officials at the Yadah Hotel. Tangawarima expressed optimism that the introduction of VAR is just the beginning of a broader adoption of the technology in the country.

"This is the first set-up in Zimbabwe to see this. But I'm sure it's not the last time. It's just the introduction of it and it's my hope that we will be having this on a regular basis in Zimbabwe," Tangawarima said.

Zimbabwe's Under-17 team, the Young Warriors, are drawn in Group A alongside Mozambique, Comoros, and Eswatini. Young Warriors coach Thulani Sibanda expressed confidence in his squad despite late team selection, highlighting players from across the country, including Mutasa, Bindura, and Dete.

"I think the selection process was done transparently. I feel we selected the best team… We will obviously do our best and make the nation proud," Sibanda said.

Zimbabwe last won the Under-17 regional title in 2007 and reached the semi-finals last year, marking a return to form after missing several editions due to eligibility issues and withdrawals. Key returning players include Scottland winger Tadiwa Chakuchichi, goalkeeper Siyanda Zimba, Awakhiwe Tshalibe of Chicken Inn, Tatenda Maulidi of Legends Academy, and striker Elshadai Sadomba of Golden Eagles.

The tournament is expected to draw attention across the region, with defending champions Zambia and perennial contenders South Africa in what has been described as the "Group of Death" in Group B, while Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, and Lesotho make up Group C.

Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Local Organising Committee, led by Thomas Marambanyika, will today host a press conference at Harare to brief stakeholders on the country's readiness to host the football jamboree. The event will be attended by ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi, Sports and Recreation Commission Director General Eltah Nengomasha, COSAFA Executive Director Sue Destombes, and COSAFA Executive Member Timothy Shongwe.
- the herald