North West Regional League initiate VAR Usage in Cameroon

• The North West Region of Cameroon came up with a much talked about VAR initiative
• This, as an aftermath of some crowd trouble last year after the game pitting Hilltop Strikers against Rainbow FC
• Fans have called the initiative laudable, and one that the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) can follow

• Organizers of the Northwest regional Championship (NWRL) initiated the Video Assistant Referee at the penultimate stage (semi finals) of its championship.

⚫ History was made as it became the first time that the technology was used in Cameroon’s local league.

Most leagues on the African continent and indeed the world, have embraced the VAR technology, but Cameroon is one of the few – left from the launchpad.

As one of several Innovations, the North West FECAFOOT bureau led by its supremo Mbigha Felix, tweaked things out of the ordinary in the semis of the NW regional Interpools.

Almost bamboozled to witness live what is mostly virtually seen, fans were startled throughout the semi finals games played at the Bambili patch, on Sunday July 2.

According to the NW FECAFOOT General secretary – Ndi Tsembom Elvis, the VAR was brought in to limit errors. Last term, there was some crowd trouble after Hilltop Strikers defeated Rainbow as some fans left disgruntled.

‘Last football season, Hilltop Strikers won against Rainbow FC but fans of Rainbow FC left disgruntled. They felt a penalty was supposed to be awarded the team, which would have changed the game’s complexion. Some said the game was fixed,’ the boss of the NW FECAFOOT Secretariat stated.

‘This year we made contact with some video experts not to have a repeat of what happened last year. Football is a game that should pacify hearts,’ Elvis opined.

Like every start-up project, the VAR had its limitations but executives of the NWRL have promised to go the extra mile and eventually get perfection.

‘With us, the technology is not a hundred percent. We probably need more cameras and monitors. The start received encouraging feedback, as the fans gave us a standing ovation.

‘Some fans of goodwill have promised more cameras, but the bureau plans to buy more gadgets that include a pitch side monitors.’

This development is coming at a time when officiating in Cameroon is at an all-time low.

Back pedal 72 hours, the Cameroon football Federation (FECAFOOT) published a list of 17 referees temporarily suspended for attempting to influence or influencing the results of football matches.

Journalist cum football administrator, Mr. Elvis says the VAR technology will eradicate some common errors.

‘it is an initiative that we should consider in our higher tiers. We can make it simple, and not as complex as the top leagues in Europe. The two calls made yesterday were spot on’.

VAR landed on cameroonian soil on the occasion of the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and later, at the AFCON 2021.

However, since then, some gadgets have been abandoned, and officials who were trained as VAR instructors, are not being solicited.

‘We would like to thank the president of the Federation Samuel Eto’o who followed the game virtually, and we know that the VAR will soon be in full usage in our leagues,’ the GS ended.

On the field of play, Hilltop Strikers lost to Bang Bullet of Nkambe (3-0) while BAFMEG beat Tubah United 1-0 in the first leg of the semis. The reversed fixtures will follow on Wednesday July 5.