Tanzanian heavyweights Simba SC are set to make history on Sunday evening when they become the first club from the East African region to deploy the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in their first leg CAF Confederation Cup quarter final clash against South African giants Orlando Pirates.In the match set to be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Tanzanian fans will also witness VAR technology for the first time in their country when the two sides face off against each other for a place in the last four of the continental competition.“Vile ushajua Simba ndio ya kwanza, iwe isiwe, kuweka historia ya VAR nchini, wacha tujisikie zamu yetu. (As you know Simba is the first, whether or not, to set VAR history in the country, let us feel our turn),” the club posted on their social media platforms.Vile ushajua Simba ndio ya kwanza, iwe isiwe, kuweka historia ya VAR nchini, wacha tujisikie zamu yetu. #MoXtra #Nguvumoja 💪🏻#motunagusamaishayako pic.twitter.com/dbFWEPAzTM— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 12, 2022 The VAR system was incorporated in the big European leagues during the 2017-18 season in Italy and Germany and during the 2018-19 season in Spain, France, and England after being first tested in the 2012-13 Dutch league season.In Africa, it was Morocco who became the first African country to use video technology in a top-flight league match featuring IRT Tangiers, who won the game 2-1 against FUS RabatAlready, CAF has named the referees who will officiate the Simba-Orlando encounter including VAR officials.Siku 4️⃣ kabla ya mchezo wa kwanza wa robo fainali ya #TotalEnergiesCAFCC #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/MjTvUeD1bl— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 13, 2022 The match will be under centre referee Haythem Guirat from Tunisia and will be assisted by countrymate Khalil Hassani and Nigerian Samuel Pwadutakam while the fourth official will be Ahmed Elghandour from Egypt. Will the lure of the World Cup help Moroccan outcasts settle their differences with the football association?The match’s another official will be Sadok Selmi of Tunisia while VAR officials are Ahmed Elghandour who will be assisted by Youssek Elbosaty also from Egypt.Kenya’s David Mwangi will be the match commissioner, referee assessor is N’da Francois from Benin and the match coordinator is Victor Lual Lual from South Sudan.CAF Confederation Cup Quarter Final Matches (Sunday 17th April)Simba v Orlando PiratesAl Ittihad Tripoli vs Al Ahly TripoliPyramids vs TP MazembeAl Masry vs RS BerkaneSemifinalsAl Ittihad Tripoli/Al Ahly Tripoli vs Simba/Orlando PiratesPyramids/TP Mazembe vs Al Masry/RS Berkane
