BFA says VAR coming in January

Last season, the BFA started training referees in preparation for the introduction of VAR in the domestic league.

The technology was due to be tested during the Orange FA Cup final in June, but this did not happen.

This 2025-2026 season started at the weekend without the implementation of VAR. But BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, said the plan is on track and is expected to take off in January.

"To implement VAR, we have progressed through most of the necessary stages successfully and are now approaching the final phase. This last stage involves FIFA officials visiting to assess the final training sessions and approve the equipment to be used," Mfolo said.

"This assessment is expected to take place between October and November, with the aim of implementing VAR when the league resumes in January 2026," he added.

Mfolo said the BFA has trained enough officials to ensure that the project gets off the ground.

"COSAFA has been instrumental in supporting us by training many of our FIFA referees who are now certified VAR officials," he said.

Referees Keabetswe Dintwe, Thabang Ketshabile, and Joyce Tshephe, assistant referees Lucky Kegakologetswe, Leungo Tsogang, and Tilolo Molefe are now VAR-certified officials.

Thobekile Manyanya and Gaontebale Malete are the instructors involved as VAR officials.

"We have been working diligently behind the scenes towards implementation. Although we initially projected to start VAR with the league, we were unable to meet some FIFA requirements due to the tight schedule of COSAFA, which continues to assist us with technical expertise and VAR equipment," Mfolo said. If Botswana succeeds in introducing VAR, it will become the first southern African country to do so.

However, there could be constraints that include venues, as some might not be certified for the introduction of the technology. In February, Mfolo told MmegiSport that the implementation of the program will cost P80,000.