Bayern Munich academy and Intare experience VAR for the first time in Rwanda

For the first time in Rwandan football history, modern officiating technology, "Video Assistant Referee" (VAR), was utilized on Sunday, January 26, 2025. This milestone event occurred during the "Urubuto Community Youth Cup" tournament, in a match between Bayern Munich Academy and Intare FTC for players under 16.

In this historic match, Bayern Munich Academy defeated Intare FTC 4-1. Rwandan international referees officiated the game, supported by Moroccan experts who monitored the use of VAR. Stade Amahoro was equipped with six cameras, including two stationed behind the goals, all feeding footage to a dedicated VAR operations room.

On the field, a monitor allowed the match referee to review incidents when necessary. All referees used communication devices to stay connected with the VAR team. Only once during the match, in the final minutes, did the referee consult VAR. After reviewing an incident in the penalty box, Nsabimana Célestin awarded a penalty to Bayern Munich Academy, but the opportunity was missed.

FERWAFA President Munyantwali Alphonse hailed this development as a significant step forward for Rwandan football. He stated, "Stade Amahoro is among the key infrastructures equipped with this advanced technology. While it requires substantial resources, we are optimistic that it will eventually expand to other stadiums."

Although VAR remains a critical tool, its implementation is challenging due to the high costs of equipment, infrastructure requirements, and adherence to regulations established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

VAR is primarily used in four crucial situations: confirming or overturning goals, awarding penalties, issuing straight red cards, and correcting mistaken identity during decisions. The introduction of VAR at Stade Amahoro signifies a promising leap forward in the development of Rwandan football.

The VAR technology has started being used at Amahoro Stadium