Nigeria’s Edo Queens must fight again for their place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League after CAF annulled their penalty-shootout victory over Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies following an extraordinary procedural error in the WAFU-B qualifying final.
Edo Queens had been declared champions after recovering twice to draw 2-2 after 90 minutes in Ouagadougou on September 5 before winning the shootout 4-1.
But Ampem Darkoa protested, arguing that competition regulations required two 15-minute periods of extra time before penalties.
In its September 26 ruling, CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football upheld that argument.
Crucially, CAF found neither club responsible for the mistake. According to the decision supplied to both federations, match officials had initially been informed that extra time was required, but the referee was subsequently instructed during the second half to proceed directly to penalties if the match finished level.
CAF therefore ruled that the shootout and Edo Queens’ 4-1 victory from the spot have “no sporting effect.” Reports confirming the ruling emerged on Sunday.
However, this is not a complete replay.
CAF ruled that the original 90 minutes remain valid. The match will resume at 2-2 from the beginning of extra time, with two 15-minute periods to be played. Should the teams remain level afterwards, an entirely new penalty shootout will determine the winner.
As far as practically and legally possible, the continuation must also preserve the conditions that existed after 90 minutes — including eligible players and substitutes, disciplinary records, substitutions already made and remaining substitution opportunities.
WAFU-B has been instructed to determine the date, kick-off time and venue, while also bearing the organisational and financial costs resulting from the continuation.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Only the eventual winner will be confirmed as WAFU-B’s representative at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
For Edo Queens, therefore, a trophy already celebrated and a qualification seemingly secured have suddenly been reopened.
Thirty minutes now stand between the Nigerian champions and having to win their ticket all over again.
