The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to revolutionize African football officiating with the launch of the CAF Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Academy.
This innovative program aims to equip elite referees from all 54 CAF Member Associations with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively utilize VAR technology in both international competitions and domestic leagues.
Following the resounding success of the recent TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, where African referees were widely praised for their performance, CAF is building upon this momentum to further enhance the quality of officiating across the continent.
The VAR Academy will provide referees with intensive training on VAR protocols, decision-making processes, and communication strategies to ensure consistent and accurate officiating.
CAF Technical Development Director, Raul Chipenda, emphasized the importance of this initiative in improving the overall standard of match officiating in Africa.
“The VAR Academy is a crucial step in ensuring that African referees are equipped to compete at the highest level globally,” Chipenda stated. “By investing in their training and development, we are not only enhancing the quality of matches but also fostering a culture of excellence within African football.”
The academy will be conducted in five zonal unions across the continent, with workshops scheduled in Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, and Senegal.
A total of 180 referees will participate in these workshops, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge that will benefit them in their officiating careers.
