Sakunda Holdings has officially partnered with the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at three of the country’s major stadiums, in a landmark investment aimed at modernizing the domestic game and aligning it with international standards.
The deal marks the first large-scale deployment of VAR in Zimbabwean football and comes on the back of Sakunda’s recent refurbishment and handover of the National Sports Stadium to government.
Under the agreement, the National Sports Stadium in Harare will be the first venue to be fitted with VAR, with the system expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026.
The rollout will then extend to Rufaro Stadium in Harare and Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, with installations targeted for completion by March 2027.
The technology will enable match officials to review key incidents including goals, penalties, red cards and cases of mistaken identity, reducing human error and improving the integrity of matches.
ZIFA officials said the introduction of VAR is a major step toward bringing Zimbabwean football in line with CAF and FIFA requirements for hosting top-tier continental and international matches.
“This investment is a major step towards modernizing Zimbabwean football, strengthening match officiating, and bringing the local game closer to international standards,” a joint statement from Sakunda and ZIFA read.
The move is expected to benefit the Premier Soccer League, ZIFA competitions, and national team matches by improving transparency, fairness, and fan confidence in officiating decisions.
The VAR partnership follows Sakunda Holdings’ recent handover of the refurbished National Sports Stadium to government. The upgrade included the installation of 44,000 bucket seats and a new playing surface, bringing the country’s flagship stadium closer to compliance with international hosting standards.
With infrastructure and technology upgrades now running in parallel, stakeholders say Zimbabwe is positioning itself to bid for and host more regional tournaments while also improving the match-day experience for local fans.
Football analysts welcomed the partnership, noting that access to VAR technology will also aid in the development of local referees, who will receive specialized training to operate the system.
The collaboration between the private sector and ZIFA is being cited as a model for how corporate investment can help accelerate the professionalization of sport in Zimbabwe, in line with national goals to grow sports tourism and youth development.
