The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be introduced in COSAFA competitions for the first time, starting with the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women's Championship in Gauteng from October 4-15. COSAFA will provide VAR for the semi-finals, third-place play-off, and final, with plans to introduce the technology in all tournaments in the future. COSAFA Referees Manager Felix Tangawarima said that the region is committed to training its officials in the use of VAR, as CAF and FIFA are looking for licensed officials. "VAR is there and within the laws of the game, and it's not going anywhere, so it's important for us as a region to embrace it," Tangawarima said. "In the future, if you want to go to a World Cup, you'll have to have practiced with VAR." Tangawarima added that COSAFA will be one of the first regions to implement VAR for its tournaments, following in the footsteps of some North African countries. VAR was first used in Southern Africa in the ABSA Cup final on May 27th, when Zambia used it in a match between Forest Rangers and FC Muza. The COSAFA tournament will be the second event in the region to use the technology.