CAF selects 50 officials for Cairo training and VAR implementation

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected 50 match officials to attend a specialized training camp in Cairo, Egypt, from November 18 to 23, 2026. The program aims to prepare officials for the group stages of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

The training includes 35 elite Category A referees and 15 officials designated for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) training. This marks a significant milestone for African club football, as VAR technology will be utilized during the group stages of these tournaments for the first time.

Selected officials represent various nations, including South Africa, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Uganda, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Ghana, Zambia, Burundi, Tunisia, and Somalia. Notable participants include South African referees Jelly Chavani, Abongile Tom, and VAR official Akhona Makalima.