NEWS
CAF Annuls Edo Queens’ Victory Over Ampem Darkoa, Orders Final Replay From 2-2
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned Edo Queens’ penalty-shootout victory over Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B qualifying final, ruling that the decisive match was not concluded in accordance with competition regulations.
The dramatic decision follows a protest lodged by Ampem Darkoa after the final, which was played in Ouagadougou on September 5 and ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Edo Queens subsequently secured a 4-1 victory on penalties, appearing to clinch the WAFU-B title and the zone’s qualification ticket for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
However, Ampem Darkoa challenged the decision to proceed directly to a penalty shootout, arguing that the regulations required extra time to be played before penalties could be considered. After reviewing the protest, CAF determined that the match officials had failed to apply the competition regulations correctly.
Under Article 72.4 of the CAF WAFU-B Regulations, a final that remains level after the regulation 90 minutes must proceed to two 15-minute periods of extra time. A penalty shootout can only be used if the teams are still level after the additional 30 minutes. As a result, CAF has annulled the penalty-shootout outcome, effectively wiping away Edo Queens’ 4-1 shootout triumph. The final will now resume from the existing 2-2 scoreline, with Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa required to play the full 30 minutes of extra time. If neither side can break the deadlock after the two 15-minute periods, the winner will then be determined through a penalty shootout.
The outcome has thrown the WAFU-B qualification race wide open, with both clubs once again facing the decisive battle for the zone’s sole qualification place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
Edo Queens, who had already celebrated what appeared to be a hard-earned triumph from the penalty spot, must now return to the contest, while Ampem Darkoa have been handed another opportunity to secure the continental ticket.