Ghanaian Champions Secure Continental Berth in Cairo
Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies secured the final qualification spot for the CAF Women’s Champions League after defeating Nigeria’s Edo Queens in extra time in Cairo on Thursday, following a successful appeal over their earlier qualifying encounter. The Ghanaian champions triumphed in the restarted match thanks to a winning strike by Afishata Mohammed, securing their spot in the eight-team tournament taking place in Egypt from November 1 to 15.
Dispute Over Procedural Violation Triggers Rescheduled Match
Following a penalty shootout in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where Edo Queens were initially named winners of the WAFU Zone B qualifying final, this outcome resolves an unusual qualification controversy. The two West African rivals had played out a 2–2 draw after 90 minutes on September 5, 2026, before the Nigerian side prevailed 4–1 on penalties and celebrated qualification, according to yen.com.gh. However, Ampem Darkoa challenged the outcome, arguing that competition regulations required the teams to play 30 minutes of extra time before proceeding to a penalty shootout if the scores remained level.
💔 HEARTBREAK FOR EDO QUEENS 🇳🇬 Nigerian champions Edo Queens have lost 3-2 (after extra time) to Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU B qualifiers.Ampem Darkoa will now represent the zone in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League. 🏆… pic.twitter.com/BigTPyILQQ
The Ghanaian club lodged a formal protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). As yen.com.gh noted, CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football sustained the grievance on September 26 and mandated that the fixture recommence from the beginning of extra time. Per Ghanafa.org, the CAF Appeal Board affirmed that decision on October 16, clearing the path for the game’s completion in Egypt.
Extra-Time Winner Settles West African Rivalry
Given a second chance in Cairo on October 29, the Techiman-based side took full advantage of their opportunity. Mohammed Afishata scored the crucial goal in extra time to secure a 3–2 aggregate victory in the resumed play, ending Edo Queens’ hopes of reaching the continental finals, ghsportsnews.com noted. The victory means Ghana will be represented at this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League, marking Ampem Darkoa Ladies’ second appearance at the continental finals.
Group Stage Preparations and Upcoming Fixtures
Ampem Darkoa has been drawn into Group B alongside defending champions AS FAR of Morocco, Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies, and Mali’s USFAS Bamako. The Ghanaian side will begin their Group Stage campaign against USFAS Bamako on November 2, leaving the squad with minimal recovery time ahead of Africa’s premier women’s club competition.
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