Three certified referees stand between South African football and a technology revolution. SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao confirmed this week that the country holds just three fully approved VAR and VAR-assistant officials ahead of a critical FIFA engagement scheduled for 15 October 2025, a milestone moment that could reshape how the beautiful game is officiated across the nation.

Monyepao revealed the trio by name: Abongile Tom, Luxolo Badi, and Akhona Makalima — the only match officials currently cleared to operate within video review protocols. The FIFA gathering, she told reporters, will map out the next phase of implementation, with referee development and structured training forming the immediate priority before any formal rollout reaches domestic fixtures.

SAFA's leadership stated that trials would unfold gradually through its own competitions rather than forcing a premature debut inside the Premier Soccer League's flagship programmes. The Hollywoodbets Super League and ABC Motsepe playoff tournaments emerged as the initial testing grounds, environments where trial conditions carry lower broadcast pressure and allow officials to build genuine competence under match situations.

South Africa's VAR journey stretches back years, marked by ambitious timelines that repeatedly slipped as infrastructure costs, training gaps, and broadcast integration challenges mounted. The PSL introduced discussions about video assistance as far back as 2019, yet the domestic top flight watched neighbouring competitions forge ahead while local administrators wrestled with licensing requirements and the steep financial burden of deploying fully operational review systems at multiple venues simultaneously.

Outside the boardroom, Monyepao's announcement carries weight felt most sharply by supporters who have watched contentious offside calls and disputed goals alter championship races without recourse. A fan clutching a Kaizer Chiefs scarf outside Orlando Stadium last weekend captured the mood bluntly: "We've been hearing about VAR for years — just show us the screen."

The Nedbank Cup 2027 now represents the clearest public target, pending PSL authorisation, which SAFA has flagged as a necessary condition before deploying the technology in any cup competition beyond its own jurisdiction. Whether three certified officials can expand into a deep enough pool of skilled practitioners before that deadline arrives — and whether the 15 October FIFA discussions produce binding commitments or merely further consultation — remains the defining question South African football must answer.

Source: Link