WAFU-B: Edo Queens petition CAF after losing disputed final to Ampem Darkoa

Nigeria Women’s Football League champions Edo Queens have petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF), seeking to overturn their 3-2 extra-time defeat to Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the disputed final of the 2026 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League.

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In a petition dated after Thursday’s encounter, Edo Queens asked CAF to declare the continuation of the final, played on 29 October, null and void, citing alleged irregularities in the venue change, match arrangements and eligibility of players.

The Nigerian club also urged the continental governing body to suspend confirmation of the regional qualification slot for the CAF Women’s Champions League pending the determination of its complaint.

The fresh protest follows a contentious sequence of decisions that overturned Edo Queens’ initial victory in the regional final and gave both teams another opportunity to contest the title.

How Ampem Darkoa won

Ampem Darkoa secured the WAFU-B title after defeating Edo Queens 3-2 following extra time in the rescheduled conclusion to the final.

The encounter followed the original meeting between the sides on 5 September in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, which ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Edo Queens subsequently won the penalty shoot-out 4-1 and initially appeared to have secured the regional championship and qualification for the continental competition.

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However, Ampem Darkoa challenged the outcome, prompting CAF’s Organising Committee to rule on 26 September that the penalty shoot-out had no sporting effect.

The decision, subsequently upheld by the CAF Appeal Board on 16 October, directed that the match resume from the beginning of extra time with the score still at 2-2.

When play eventually continued on Thursday, Ampem Darkoa struck the decisive blow just two minutes into extra time to secure the 3-2 victory.

The Ghanaian champions thereby claimed the WAFU-B title and the zone’s qualification place for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

The triumph marks Ampem Darkoa’s return to the continental competition for the second time in their history, having previously featured in 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Edo Queens’ concerns

In its petition, Edo Queens identified three principal grounds for challenging the continuation of the final.

First, the club questioned the relocation of the match from Ouagadougou to Cairo, Egypt, alleging that the move occurred without the required confirmation from the West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU-B), as stipulated in the CAF decision.

Second, the Nigerian side alleged that sporting conditions had not been properly restored before the continuation of the match.

The club claimed it was prevented from fielding eligible players who had participated in the original encounter. It also raised concerns about the accommodation provided for its delegation, alleging that members were housed at a military base rather than a conventional hotel.

Third, Edo Queens complained about what it described as inadequate official communication concerning the venue, kick-off time and other match arrangements, arguing that the alleged shortcomings could have affected its preparations.

These allegations are contained in the club’s petition and have not been independently established.

What Edo Queens want from CAF

Beyond seeking the annulment of Thursday’s result, Edo Queens has asked CAF to direct WAFU-B to produce documents relating to the disputed fixture.

These include the required venue confirmation, match sheets, substitution records, player eligibility lists and disciplinary records.

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The Nigerian club is also seeking an order for a full 90-minute replay under properly regulated conditions, with eligible players and at the original venue.

Alternatively, if a replay cannot be completed before the start of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League on 1 November, Edo Queens wants CAF to declare it the winner of the WAFU-B tournament.

The requested remedies remain proposals by the club, and no decision on the fresh petition was included in the information provided.

Meanwhile, Ampem Darkoa are preparing for the continental tournament in Egypt, where they have been drawn in Group B alongside Morocco’s AS FAR, Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies and Mali’s USFAS Bamako.

The CAF Women’s Champions League is scheduled to run from 1 to 15 November, leaving a narrow window for any further intervention that could affect the regional qualification outcome.

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