Tanzania Premier League To Introduce VAR Next Season

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On Monday, the Tanzania Premier League announced that it will introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the upcoming 2024/2025 season, starting in August 2024. This development makes Tanzania one of the pioneering countries in Africa to adopt VAR in their top-tier football league.

The introduction of VAR aims to enhance the accuracy of refereeing decisions, particularly in determining goals and goal-bound moves. This technology has already been successfully implemented in North African countries, South Africa, and the Ivorian league, which is set to follow suit next season.

The Tanzania Football Federation’s decision to embrace VAR demonstrates their commitment to modernizing the sport and aligning with international standards. This move is expected to elevate the level of competition and fairness in the league, promoting a more enjoyable experience for players, teams, and fans alike.

Yanga SC, the reigning champions, were awarded a staggering Sh3.85 billion (approximately $1.7 million USD) for winning the league title. Other Tanzanian clubs also received significant prize money, with the runners-up, Azam FC, taking home Sh2.5 billion (approximately $1.1 million USD), and the third-placed team, Simba SC, receiving Sh1.5 billion (approximately $670,000 USD).

Tanzanian teams have also been attracting top players from Uganda, further bolstering the league’s competitiveness. The likes of Emmanuel Okwi and Khalid Aucho have made high-profile moves to Simba SC and Yanga SC respectively.

Moreover, Tanzanian clubs have consistently performed well in CAF inter-club competitions, with Simba SC and Yanga SC regularly featuring in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. This success has not only elevated the profile of Tanzanian football but also attracted attention from top players and coaches across the continent.

The introduction of VAR, substantial prize money, and consistent sporting perf