Ampem Darkoa Ladies sink Edo Queens to book CAF Women’s Champions League return

Ampem Darkoa Ladies have secured a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League after defeating Nigeria’s Edo Queens 3-2 on aggregate in the rescheduled WAFU Zone B qualifying final in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.

The Ghanaian champions seized their second chance to settle a final that had remained unresolved since September, scoring the decisive goal in extra time to claim the regional qualification slot.

Afishata Mohammed emerged as the match-winner, rising highest to connect with a corner and powering a header into the net in the 92nd minute to give Ampem Darkoa the crucial breakthrough.

The goal proved decisive in a tense encounter that resumed at 2-2 following the teams’ draw in their original meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 5.

Ampem Darkoa’s victory marks their second appearance at Africa’s premier women’s club competition, having represented Ghana at the 2023 edition, where they finished fourth.

CAF ruling gives Ghanaian champions another chance

The rescheduled final followed a dispute over the original outcome, which saw Edo Queens initially declared winners after a 4-1 penalty shootout victory.

The Nigerian side had advanced after regulation time ended 2-2, but Ampem Darkoa challenged the result through the Ghana Football Association (GFA), insisting that the match should have proceeded to extra time before penalties, in accordance with the competition regulations.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) upheld the protest on September 26 and annulled the shootout result, directing that the remaining 30 minutes of extra time be played with the score still at 2-2.

Edo Queens subsequently appealed the decision in an attempt to overturn the ruling.

However, CAF’s Appeal Board dismissed the appeal on October 16, confirming that the teams had to return to the pitch to determine the winner through extra time.

The continuation was moved to Egypt, where Ampem Darkoa made the most of the opportunity, with Mohammed’s late goal finally settling the contest in their favour.

The outcome brings an end to the uncertainty surrounding the regional final and confirms the Ghanaian side as WAFU Zone B’s representatives at the continental tournament.

Ampem Darkoa face defending champions in Group B

Ampem Darkoa will now turn their attention to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, where they face a challenging Group B assignment against defending champions AS FAR of Morocco, Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies and Mali’s USFAS Bamako.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Egypt from November 1 to 15, bringing together some of Africa’s leading women’s clubs.

The Ghanaian champions will hope to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2023 as they prepare for another opportunity to compete against the continent’s best.

Their qualification also gives Ghana representation at the competition, with the team now tasked with translating their regional success into a strong performance on the continental stage.

After navigating a prolonged dispute and overcoming the disappointment of the original shootout decision, Ampem Darkoa have secured their return to Africa’s elite women’s club competition, with Mohammed’s extra-time header providing the decisive moment in their campaign.