Hugo Broos has highlighted the need for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This after the Bafana Bafana mentor earned a point away to Nigeria this past Friday.
South Africa and the Super Eagles shared the spoils in a one-all stalemate – a vital point for Bafana in a tough Group C where Lesotho sit at the summit of the six-team table with five points.
Bafana and Nigeria have so far collected four and three points respectively.
The winners of the nine groups get to book their spots in the global spectacle, while the best four runners-up will have to go the longer route of being drawn into playoffs to determine Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Broos suggested that it would be prudent for the Confederation of African Football to introduce VAR in the qualifiers as was the case with the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament staged in Ivory Coast.
“For these kinds of games, I think we need VAR. It is too important, and we saw in the AFCON that VAR was a good thing because there were some decisions that you saw after the VAR consultation that it was right or not right.
“We are playing the World Cup qualifiers and I think in such important games we need VAR,” said the Bafana mentor.
However, the complexities of staging every game with VAR technology are no secret. CAF would need to put measures to make sure that match officials undergo training. The safekeeping of the expensive equipment comes into play, and the financial burden is a major factor.
A report by Forbes Africa suggested that South Africa’s Premier Soccer League would have to part ways with about R40 million to implement VAR in the top-flight and cup competitions.
“I think it is a question of money, I don’t know, but it is expensive. I know it from my country. Every competition has VAR because it is important and one goal can decide if you go or don’t go to the World Cup,” said Broos.
South Africa face Zimbabwe on Tuesday evening at the Free State Stadium and the Southern Africa teams go into the tie with the same concerns.
The Warriors’ skipper, Marshall Munetsi cried foul after a 2-0 loss at the hands of Lesotho, which leaves Zimbabwe at the foot of the group ahead of the fourth round of matches.
“We need VAR, especially in African football, because even when you talk to the referee it’s a difficult thing.
“You try to ask him anything, the next thing he gives you a yellow card,” said Munetsi.
“For us it’s difficult, we always cry about the situation, but it is also unfortunate because it was not on our side.
“Situations like those happen in football and sometimes I think the referee has also to come and allow us to ask,” he added.
South Africa’s tie against Zimbabwe will kick-off at 6PM, while Nigeria are away to Benin – Lesotho host Rwanda at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday.
Clip from our training yesterday; which was open to the public. So much ❤️ #BafanaPride #WCQualifiers pic.twitter.com/uBVhMyRJhR
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 10, 2024
