YAOUNDE – For the first time in the history of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2021), Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used at all 52 matches, in Cameroon.
“For the first time in the history of the African Cup of Nations, all 52 matches of the competition will use Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in Cameroon starting this weekend,” CAF said in a statement on their official website.
During the previous competition held in 2019 in Egypt, VAR was only used from the quarter-final stage.
The competition will kick-off on Sunday January 9, 2022 with hosts Cameroon playing Burkina Faso at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon. The final match will be played on February 6, 2022 at the same venue.
With CAF advancing with plans not only to improve the image of refereeing but also produce world class match officials in Africa, the implementation of VAR in all 52 matches in Cameroon is a step in the right direction.
A list of 63 top match officials, including women top referees Salima Mukasanga (Rwanda), Carine Atemzabong (Cameroon), Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco) and Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) will officiate the African Vup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 matches.
The list consists of 24 referees, 31 assistant referees and eight video assistant referees from 36 countries. The roster includes two referees from the CONCACAF as part of our inter-confederation skills exchange programme.
CAF confirmed they had increased the prize money for teams participating in the 2021 competition.
A statement from CAF’s website confirmed the increase after a meeting chaired by President Patrice Motsepe and it stated: “The new African Cup of Nations prize Monies; winner: $5 million (an increase of $500,000).
“Runner-up: $2.75 million (an increase of $250,000). Semi-finalists: $2.2 million (an increase of $200,000). Quarter-finalists: $1.175 million (an increase of $175,000).”
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