CAF have confirmed that they will introduce VAR, or video assistant replay, for the finals of the continental competitions this season.

The technology will be introduced for the finals of both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup which take place next month.

CAF General Secretary Amr Fahmy said “This is a historic moment for African football. It clearly shows that CAF is determined and committed to the interclub competitions and will bring on board the latest and innovative technologies to make it better.”

“We are the first confederation to use VAR in the final of the Club competitions. We did it for the CAF Super Cup and we are delighted to go a step further with the Interclubs competitions.”

Despite the likes of Bakary Gassama officiating the highest levels of the international game, African football in the past has been criticised both for its refereeing and for its infrastructure. This move to give referees assistance signifies a step in the right direction and a watershed moment for the sport as a whole.

The first use of VAR will be used in the CAF Champions League final first leg on the 2nd of November, and it may get its debut in Egypt as the first leg will be hosted by either Al Ahly or ES Setif against either 1º de Agosto or Espérance de Tunis.