WAFU-B: CAF Annuls Edo Queens’ Victory, Orders Final Against Ampem Darkoa to Resume

By Correspondent

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has annulled Edo Queens’ 4–1 penalty-shootout victory over Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU Zone B qualifying tournament.

The decision followed a protest by Ampem Darkoa over the manner in which the September 5 final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, was concluded.

The match ended 2–2 after 90 minutes, after which the officials proceeded directly to a penalty shootout instead of playing the mandatory 30 minutes of extra time.

Edo Queens won the ensuing shootout 4–1 and were declared WAFU-B champions, earning the zone’s qualification ticket for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Ampem Darkoa subsequently challenged the decision, arguing that the competition regulations required extra time to be played before penalties could be used to determine the winner.

CAF has now upheld the protest, ruling that the final was not completed in accordance with Article 72.4 of the WAFU-B regulations.

The provision requires two 15-minute periods of extra time when a final is level after regulation time. Penalties can only be taken if the scores remain level after the additional 30 minutes.

Consequently, CAF has ruled that Edo Queens’ penalty-shootout victory cannot stand and has ordered the final to resume from the 2–2 scoreline, with both teams required to play 30 minutes of extra time.

If the scores remain level after extra time, the winner will then be determined by penalties.

The ruling means the WAFU-B title and the region’s sole qualification place for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League are once again up for grabs.

CAF’s decision also creates an unusual situation in which Edo Queens’ original victory celebration and subsequent rewards have effectively been put on hold pending the completion of the final.

Edo Queens had enjoyed an impressive campaign before the controversy. The Nigerian champions began the tournament with a commanding 7–0 victory over Niger’s AS Garde Nationale before defeating Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas 3–1.

Their only defeat before the final came against Ampem Darkoa, who beat them 2–1 during the group stage.

Edo Queens responded strongly in the semi-final, defeating hosts USFA 5–1 to book their place in the final, while Ampem Darkoa defeated Benin Republic’s FC Dynamique 4–1 to set up a second meeting between the two sides.

The final produced another closely fought encounter. Ampem Darkoa took an early lead through Beline Nyarko before Edo Queens equalised through Dooshima Tarnum.

Nyarko restored the Ghanaian side’s lead from the penalty spot, but Edo Queens forced the game into a shootout when substitute Oluebube Umejiaku scored in stoppage time to make it 2–2.

Edo Queens subsequently converted four of their penalties while Ampem Darkoa scored only one, prompting the Nigerian side to celebrate what appeared to be a historic regional triumph.

The victory was particularly significant because Edo Queens had emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading women’s clubs and were seeking to build on their domestic success on the continental stage.

Following the original victory, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo rewarded the team with ₦50 million, while the players and officials were celebrated for winning the NWFL title and the WAFU-B crown.

The CAF ruling has now changed the immediate picture, with the regional title and continental qualification dependent on the outcome of the additional 30 minutes.

CAF’s ruling also raises questions about the administration of the competition, particularly how a final governed by a clear extra-time provision was allowed to proceed directly to penalties.

Importantly, CAF’s decision does not order the entire match to be replayed. The 90 minutes already played remain valid, and the continuation will begin from the existing 2–2 scoreline.

Neither Edo Queens nor Ampem Darkoa has therefore been declared the winner of the WAFU-B final.

The eventual winner of the resumed contest will lift the regional trophy and secure WAFU-B’s place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, making the forthcoming 30 minutes potentially decisive for both clubs and their continental ambitions.

The date, venue and kick-off time for the continuation of the final are expected to be determined by WAFU-B in consultation with CAF and the two participating teams.