The Tanzanian Premier League is set to make history next season after Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Wallace Karia confirmed that the Video Support (VS) system will be introduced for the first time in African football.
The move will see Tanzania become the first country on the continent to adopt the technology, which is designed to assist referees in making more accurate decisions during matches without the complexity and cost of the traditional Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
Unlike VAR, Video Support does not involve a dedicated team of video officials monitoring every incident throughout the game. Instead, the match referee has the authority to decide when to stop play and review footage of a key incident on a pitch-side monitor before reaching a final decision.
The system is viewed as a more affordable and practical alternative to VAR, making it an attractive option for leagues looking to improve officiating standards while avoiding the high operational costs associated with full VAR implementation.
Karia’s announcement marks a significant step in the modernization of Tanzanian football, with the federation hoping the introduction of Video Support will enhance the accuracy of refereeing decisions and increase confidence in match officiating.
If successfully implemented, Tanzania could pave the way for other African leagues to adopt the Video Support system as a cost-effective solution to improving the quality of officiating across the continent.
