Edo Queens secure UFOA-B crown after late equaliser and shootout victory

Edo Queens won the UFOA-B women’s qualifying tournament after beating Ampem Darkoa Ladies on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw in the final.

The Nigerian side held their nerve in the decisive shootout to claim the regional title and book their place in the next CAF Women’s Champions League, where they will represent the UFOA-B zone.

The final appeared to be slipping away from Edo Queens after Ampem Darkoa regained the lead in the second half. Beline Nyarkoh converted a penalty in the 73rd minute to put the Ghanaian team 2-1 ahead.

Ampem Darkoa had looked set to secure the championship as the match entered its closing stages, but Edo Queens produced a late response. Oluebube Umejaiku equalised in the 90th minute, forcing the contest to be decided from the penalty spot after the two sides finished level at 2-2 following normal time.

Edo Queens were more clinical during the shootout and completed their victory to lift the UFOA-B title. The opening result reported the shootout as a 3-1 success for the Nigerians, while the subsequent summary recorded the final score as 4-1.

The result completes a dramatic turnaround in a match that had seen both teams take the lead. The first half ended 1-1, leaving the final evenly poised before Nyarkoh’s penalty gave Ampem Darkoa control after the interval.

That advantage lasted until the final minute of normal time, when Umejaiku’s late goal kept Edo Queens in the competition and sent the final to penalties.

Edo Queens’ success means the Nigerian champions will now carry the UFOA-B zone’s hopes into the next edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League. Ampem Darkoa Ladies, who had led twice during the match, were denied the title despite taking the game to the final moments before the shootout.

The championship was ultimately decided by composure from twelve yards, with Edo Queens proving the more effective side when the pressure was greatest.