VAR Hits South Africa Shores but Not in the Premier Soccer League

• It finally happened: the Video Assistant Referee will be used on South African soil for the very first time this weekend
• VAR will be called upon in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup quarterfinal second leg matches involving Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates
• This then raised the frequently asked questions as to why a country boasting the continent's richest league does not yet use the system

History will be made this weekend in South African football.

The CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup quarterfinal second leg matches between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates against Petro de Luanda and Simba FC respectively will see the first use of the Video Assistant Referee in a country boasting the richest league on the African continent.

With that in mind, it raises a question that has been asked before: why is there no VAR being used in the Premier Soccer League' various televised competitions?

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According to Goal, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza said:

""There’s an issue of phasing it in, which comes first. There’s also an issue with goal-line [technology], which we need to address, as well as offside, but as I said, there’s the issue of cost."

"It could ensure that technically we’re sound, in making sure that people are satisfied. Although they’re not satisfied sometimes in Europe because when you say there’s an offside with the millimetre judgment, it’s something some of us can’t see. It makes people irritated."

A report from Sport24 back in 2019 pointed out how implementation of the system in Brazil's Serie A cost an eye-watering €5.1 million (R82 million) at the time.

Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi pleased that VAR will be available against Simba FC in South Africa

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi is a man with a reason to be happy after a big disappointment.

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As reported by Sports Brief, Ncikazi, a current lightning rod of controversy, stated that he is pleased that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be used this coming weekend in the Buccaneer's CAF Confederations Cup second leg against Simba FC at Orlando Stadium.

He went on the offensive in criticising officials for their disuse of VAR for various contentious incidents in Pirates 1-0 loss away in Tanzania on Sunday night.