Nigerian champions Edo Queens have departed for Cairo, Egypt, ahead of the rescheduled conclusion of their West African Football Union (WAFU-B) qualifying final against Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies.
The decisive encounter is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, with a place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League at stake.
The trip follows a controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which overturned Edo Queens’ initial penalty shootout victory and ordered the match to resume after regulation time.
How the WAFU-B Final Became Controversial
The original final was played on September 5 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa finished regulation time tied at 2–2.
Edo Queens subsequently defeated their Ghanaian opponents 4–1 on penalties and appeared to have secured the regional title and qualification for the continental competition.
However, Ampem Darkoa protested that the match officials had proceeded directly to penalties without playing the required 30 minutes of extra time.
CAF reviewed the complaint and ruled that the regulations required two 15-minute periods of extra time before a penalty shootout could take place.
The governing body consequently annulled the penalty shootout result and ordered the match to resume from the beginning of extra time, with the score remaining 2–2.
NFF Appeal Fails as Edo Queens Prepare for Showdown
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenged CAF’s decision, arguing that Edo Queens should not be penalised for an error made by the match officials.
The federation maintained that the Nigerian club had followed the referee’s instructions and had neither requested nor caused the failure to play extra time.
However, CAF’s Appeal Board upheld the ruling on October 16, leaving Edo Queens with no change to the prescribed resumption of the final.
Following consultations with the club’s board, the Edo State Government and the NFF, Edo Queens accepted the decision and resolved to complete the contest on the pitch.
The club said its ambition remained unchanged, pledging to fight for qualification and represent Edo State and Nigeria with pride.
What Happens in Cairo?
The two teams will play the outstanding 30 minutes of extra time, beginning with the score at 2–2. If neither side takes the lead after the two periods, a fresh penalty shootout will determine the winner.
CAF has also directed that different match officials be appointed for the continuation of the fixture.
The winner will represent the WAFU-B zone at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, scheduled to take place in Egypt from November 1 to 15.
For Edo Queens, the encounter offers an opportunity to settle the dispute through football and secure their place among Africa’s leading women’s clubs. Ampem Darkoa, meanwhile, will be seeking to capitalise on the opportunity to claim the regional qualification ticket.
With the continental tournament approaching, both sides face a decisive test in Cairo, where the remaining 30 minutes could determine their season.
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