The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has annulled Edo Queens’ 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B qualifying tournament.
The decision followed a protest by the Ghanaian champions over the decision to proceed directly to penalties after the final ended 2-2 after 90 minutes in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 5.
CAF ruled that the procedure used to determine the winner did not comply with the competition regulations, which require extra time to be played before penalties in a drawn final.
Edo Queens had initially won the shootout 4-1 to claim the WAFU-B title and the zone’s qualification place for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League. CAF’s original tournament report confirmed the result after the Nigerian champions recovered from twice falling behind to force the match into penalties.
Final to resume from 2-2
CAF has ordered the final to resume from the beginning of extra time, with the score remaining 2-2.
The two teams will play two 15-minute periods of extra time. If the scores remain level after the additional 30 minutes, a new penalty shootout will be held to determine the winner.
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The decision means Edo Queens’ previous penalty shootout victory no longer has sporting effect, while the 2-2 scoreline after the original 90 minutes remains valid.
Ampem Darkoa had formally challenged the decision to go straight to penalties, arguing that the competition regulations required extra time to be played first. The Ghanaian side’s protest was subsequently upheld.
How the original final ended
Ampem Darkoa took an early lead through Berline Nyarko before Dooshima Tarnum equalised for Edo Queens.
Nyarko restored the Ghanaian side’s advantage from the penalty spot in the second half, but substitute Oluebube Umejiaku scored a late equaliser to make it 2-2 and force the shootout.
Edo Queens then converted four penalties while Ampem Darkoa scored once to initially secure the WAFU-B title.
The final was the second meeting between the sides in the tournament. Ampem Darkoa had beaten Edo Queens 2-1 in the group stage before the Nigerian champions defeated hosts USFA 5-1 in the semi-finals. Ampem Darkoa also reached the final after a 4-1 win over Benin’s FC Dynamique.
Champions League place at stake
The continuation of the final will determine the WAFU-B representative at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
Edo Queens’ initial victory had appeared to secure their place in the continental competition, but CAF’s ruling means both teams must now return to the field to settle the final.
The date, kick-off time and arrangements for the continuation are to be communicated by WAFU Zone B in coordination with CAF and the relevant national football authorities.
