Edo Queens hopes of qualifying for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League ended after they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies after the replay of extra time in the WAFU-B qualifying final in Cairo, Egypt, Trybal News reports.
Mohammed Afishata scored the decisive goal in the 92nd minute to secure victory for Ampem Darkoa, denying the Nigerian champions a place in the continental competition.
The encounter resumed from the beginning of extra time following a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which upheld Ampem Darkoa’s protest over the outcome of the original final played on September 5 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Edo Queens had initially won 4-1 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time. However, CAF annulled the shootout result and ordered the teams to complete the outstanding extra time, a decision subsequently upheld by the CAF Appeal Board on October 16.
The Nigerian champions made two changes ahead of the resumption, with Kafayat Mafisere and Mary Mamudu replacing Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku, who were unavailable due to national team commitments. Despite their efforts, Edo Queens were unable to find the equaliser needed to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The defeat marks a disappointing end to Edo Queens’ campaign, with the Benin City-based side missing out on a return to the continental tournament after reaching the semi-finals on their debut in 2024.
Ampem Darkoa will represent WAFU-B in Group B of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, where they will face Morocco’s AS FAR, USFAS Bamako of Mali and Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Egypt from November 1 to 15.
