Women’s Champions League: Edo Queens petition CAF to void Ampem Darkoa’s win, demand replay

Edo Queens have launched a fresh protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), seeking to overturn Ampem Darkoa Ladies’ qualification for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League following their rescheduled WAFU Zone B qualifying final on Thursday, October 29.

The Nigerian club has petitioned CAF to declare the continuation of the final null and void, challenging the venue, match arrangements and player eligibility conditions under which the game was completed in Cairo, Egypt.

Ampem Darkoa secured qualification for the continental competition after defeating Edo Queens 3-2 on aggregate, with Afishata Mohammed scoring the decisive goal in the 92nd minute of the extra-time continuation.

The latest protest represents another development in a dispute that has remained unresolved since the teams’ original meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 5.

Edo Queens are asking CAF to suspend final confirmation of the WAFU Zone B qualification place until their petition has been determined.

Edo Queens challenge Cairo venue and match arrangements

The original final ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Edo Queens winning the subsequent penalty shoot-out 4-1 to initially secure the regional title.

However, CAF’s Organising Committee ruled on September 26 that the shoot-out had no sporting effect and ordered the match to resume from the beginning of extra time, with the score remaining 2-2.

The decision was upheld by the CAF Appeal Board on October 16 after Edo Queens challenged the initial ruling.

The continuation was subsequently played in Cairo, where Ampem Darkoa scored the winning goal to secure their second appearance at the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Edo Queens have now questioned the legitimacy of the continuation, arguing that the venue was changed from Ouagadougou to Cairo without the required confirmation from the West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU B), in accordance with CAF’s decision.

The club also alleges that the arrangements did not restore the sporting conditions required for the continuation of the final.

According to the petition, Edo Queens were prevented from fielding eligible players who had featured in the original match.

The Nigerian side has further raised concerns about its delegation being accommodated at a military base rather than a conventional team hotel.

Edo Queens also claim they did not receive clear and timely communication regarding the venue, kick-off time and other match arrangements, which they argue could have affected their preparations.

The allegations form the basis of the club’s latest attempt to have the outcome of the continuation overturned. CAF has yet to determine the fresh petition.

Club demands replay or recognition as winners

Edo Queens have requested that CAF treat the petition as urgent and suspend final confirmation of the WAFU Zone B qualification place while the matter is being considered.

The club wants the governing body to declare the October 29 continuation null and void and direct WAFU B to produce documents relating to the match.

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

Edo Queens have also asked CAF to order a full 90-minute replay at the original venue, with eligible players and under what they describe as properly regulated conditions.

Alternatively, the Nigerian club wants to be declared winners of the WAFU Zone B tournament if a replay cannot be completed before the CAF Women’s Champions League begins on November 1.

The requested remedies could affect the regional qualification outcome, although the petition does not itself overturn Ampem Darkoa’s victory or guarantee Edo Queens a place in the competition.

Ampem Darkoa await CAF’s decision

Ampem Darkoa’s victory secured Ghana representation at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, where the team is scheduled to compete in Group B alongside defending champions AS FAR of Morocco, Kawempe Muslim Ladies of Uganda and USFAS Bamako of Mali.

The tournament is scheduled to run in Egypt from November 1 to 15.

The Ghanaian champions previously competed in the 2023 edition, finishing fourth, and will be seeking to improve on that performance.

However, Edo Queens’ fresh petition has introduced further uncertainty into the qualification dispute just days before the continental tournament begins.

CAF’s response to the latest complaint will determine whether the result of Thursday’s continuation stands or further action is required.