The Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ogun State Chapter Secretary Adamson Omotunde Abiodun has questioned the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to annul Edo Queens’ penalty-shootout victory over Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the WAFU-B qualifying final for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
Reacting to the ruling Adamson described the development as deeply concerning and questioned why Edo Queens should bear the consequences of an error that CAF itself attributed to an administrative instruction, Sports247 gathered.
The final, played in Ouagadougou on September 5, ended 2-2 after 90 minutes. The teams then proceeded directly to a penalty shootout, which Edo Queens won 4-1. CAF’s latest ruling has now annulled that shootout result and ordered the match to resume from 2-2 with 30 minutes of extra time. A fresh penalty shootout will be held if the teams remain level.
According to CAF, the regulations required two 15-minute periods of extra time before penalties could be used to determine the winner. CAF further stated that the omission resulted from an erroneous administrative instruction and that neither Edo Queens nor Ampem Darkoa was responsible.
It is this aspect of the ruling that Abiodun has particularly challenged.
“Why should Edo Queens suffer for a referee’s error?” he asked, arguing that both teams followed the instructions of the match officials in good faith.
Abiodun acknowledged the importance of enforcing competition regulations but argued that responsibility for an administrative or officiating error should be clearly distinguished from responsibility for the sporting outcome on the field.
He also called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to examine the decision and explore the available appeal mechanisms if the federation believes the ruling has adversely affected Edo Queens.
CAF, however, said its remedy was designed to preserve the valid 90 minutes while correcting the omitted extra-time stage. The governing body rejected both confirmation of the penalty result and a complete replay, instead ordering the final to resume from the beginning of extra time.
Abiodun also questioned the practical implications of asking the teams to return weeks after the original encounter, particularly regarding player availability, substitutions, disciplinary status, logistics and the psychological impact of having the original result overturned.
Under CAF’s ruling, the continuation is expected to preserve, as far as practically and legally possible, the sporting conditions that existed at the end of regulation time. WAFU-B will determine the date, kick-off time and venue in consultation with CAF and the two national associations.
The NFCA Ogun official maintained that Edo Queens should not be portrayed as having gained an unfair advantage, stressing that the Nigerian side simply followed the procedure directed by the match officials.
“Edo Queens did not cheat. They did not force the referee to go to penalties. They simply played and won,” Abiodun stated.
The controversy now leaves the WAFU-B qualification place unresolved, with Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa set to contest the additional 30 minutes that CAF says should have been played after their 2-2 draw.
For Abiodun, the episode raises broader questions about officiating, administrative responsibility and the protection of clubs when competition procedures go wrong.
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