AFCON
VIDEOS: DOES VAR WORK IN AFRICA?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
For the first time, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is being used at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The application began at the quarterfinals stage.
Incidentally, all the four matches played had incidents that called for reviews by VAR. Sadly, contrary to the principle behind its introduction, the VAR, as being applied at the Africa Cup of Nations, negates the rights of the referee as final arbiter.
A case in point is the application of VAR in deciding the goal scored by South Africa in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations’ quarter final duel. The Moroccan referee, Rédouane Jiyed disallowed the goal, more so when an assistant referee had raised flag for offside position of Bongani Zungu, the scorer.
But at the prompting of VAR, the referee held on for some minutes and later awarded the goal. Unlike it is done in FIFA matches, he did not review the incident by himself at the VAR monitor, he relied solely on the audio information transmitted to him from the VAR.
That was also what happened in other instances of the competition when VAR had to be applied.
FIFA at the end of Russia 2018 released two video
clips on the application of VAR which was used at the competition with minimal
compliant.
First point to be noted is that VAR only assists the referee to clear human errors such as mistaken identity in issuance of cards, possible penalty kicks, verification of goals where there are doubts and also verification of possible penalty kicks.
According to FIFA, there is a three-process
application of VAR. First an incident occurred, such as the goal scored by
South Africa. The referee gets a review advice from VAR operators. Then a
decision or action is taken.
FIFA further revealed that there are two options for the referee. First, he can accept the VAR information. Secondly, he goes to the monitor to visually review the information and then take a decision.
Danny Makklie, the head of VAR at the World Cup in Russia explained that there are four VAR positions. The first is VAR team leader at the operation room.
He watches the match in the upper monitor at the operation room. If there is an incident, he communicates with the referee.
Also in the operation room is AVR 1 who informs the VAR head of an incident that might have escaped the leader. There is AVR2 who watches for offside positions and also looks out for potential offside situations.
He has a replay operator seated next to him to assist in review of situations. There is also AVR3 who is positioned between AVR 1 and AVR 2. He focuses on the TV programme feed and assists in evaluating incidents from the best possible replay angles.
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It is doubtful, if these steps were taken in the VAR incidents so far at the Africa Cup of Nations. The referees merely take decisions from what they were told by VAR. The second step of going to the review monitors have been glaringly absent,
The application of VAR comes to fore if one considers the fact that the final match of the premier continental competition, the CAF Champions League is still embroiled in VAR controversy that has necessitated a replay.
It is not certain, if that replay will still hold after the Africa Cup of Champions.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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