For the first time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used at all 52 matches, in Cameroon.

CAF has confirmed this in a statement that VAR will be used in Cameroon in a move aimed at advancing with plans not only to improve the image of refereeing but also produce world-class match officials in Africa.

“For the first time in the history of the TotalEnergies Africa 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.

“The competition will kick-off on Sunday, January 9, 2022, with hosts Cameroon playing Burkina Faso at 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT) at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon. The final match will be played on February 6, 2022, at the same venue.”

The statement continued: “Previously, Caf has used VAR starting from the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2019.

“However, 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.”

Caf has also confirmed a total of 63 top referees will officiate at the competition.

The 33rd edition of the African competition will kick off on Sunday and during the previous competition held in 2019 in Egypt, VAR has only used from the quarter-final stage.