Tanzanian football is set to enter a new technological era after the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) announced plans to introduce the Video Support (VS) system in Tanzania Mainland Premier League matches starting from the 2026/27 season.
The system, which has been approved by FIFA, is designed to assist referees in making more accurate decisions during controversial incidents at a significantly lower cost than the traditional Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
Speaking about the initiative, TFF President Wallace Karia said the Video Support system will operate using a "challenge" format, allowing each head coach to request up to four video reviews during every match.
Under the system, if a coach believes a refereeing decision is controversial, they may request a review. The referee will then go to a pitchside monitor to watch the replay before making a final decision. If the original decision is overturned, the team retains its challenge. However, if the referee upholds the original decision, the team loses one of its four available challenges.
TFF said the primary reason for choosing Video Support instead of VAR is to reduce implementation and operating costs. Unlike VAR, which typically requires between 12 and more than 30 cameras as well as a dedicated team of video match officials working from a central operations room, the Video Support system requires only four to five cameras and does not need a separate video operations center.
The federation added that the system can be installed more easily at stadiums across the country, including regional venues, by utilizing existing television broadcast infrastructure.
TFF also confirmed that the process of obtaining final approval from FIFA is ongoing, with initial testing expected to begin at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, KMC Stadium, and Azam Complex, all of which already have the necessary broadcast infrastructure.
Football stakeholders believe the introduction of Video Support will help reduce disputes over refereeing decisions, improve transparency in match officiating, and enhance the reputation of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League both domestically and internationally.
