VAR ready to roll in Nigeria/South Africa quarterfinal clash

All is now set for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to play a role in quarterfinal clash between Nigeria and South Africa billed for the Cairo Stadium Wednesday. Confederation of African Football (CAF) it will be recalled approved the use of

VAR for the very first time in the Nations cup but added that it will only be launched from the quarterfinal in this year’s edition but will start from the group stage in subsequent editions.

CAF Executive member and Chairman of the referees commission Souleyman Waberi said the refereeing experts from FIFA have already checked the arrangements made for VAR’s debut in the Nations cup and are satisfied with it.

“Everything has worked well. Refereeing experts from FIFA have checked things and are satisfied, “he revealed

The VAR has continued to receive approvals and disapproval from fans depending on who gains and who loses. Many however agree that the technology has helped in curbing incessant referee’s misjudgment especially in high profile encounters.

Some soccer fans who broke into serious arguments shortly after the round of 16 clash between Ghana and Tunisia opined that the result would have been different had the VAR been used to review the disallowed  goal scored by Black Stars Andre Ayew in the early minutes of the encounter.

An emotional Mubarak Wakaso who emerged man of the match twice in the course of the tournament said the team had hoped to make it all the way to the final but thanked his teammates for fighting spirit despite the unexpected exit.

The VAR will be making its debut in the first Quarterfinal clash between Senegal and Benin on Wednesday at 5pm before switching over to Nigeria versus South Africa same day at 8pm.