Sports journalist Ezinne Oti has questioned the handling of the decision to replay the WAFU B women’s football final involving Nigeria’s Edo Queens and Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies, describing the situation as a setback for the competition.
Speaking during a top-stories discussion with host Sami Bami on Inside Naija Sports, Ezinne expressed disappointment over the decision, arguing that the situation raised serious questions about the organisation of African football competitions.
Edo Queens had initially celebrated victory after a penalty shootout, but the outcome was subsequently challenged, leading to a decision to continue the contest.
Reacting to the development, Ezinne questioned how the match officials allowed the situation to arise and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
“ it’s a slap on the face of the organizers, because first of all they saw how the conditions were before the match, they had a meeting, the technical team, the referees, everyone decided that there will be an extra time before penalty. So who was the person that went to meet the referee to go straight to penalty”
She also expressed concern about the sporting implications of replaying a match after one team had already celebrated what appeared to be a victory.
According to her, the situation had taken away some of the excitement surrounding the original result and created uncertainty for both teams.
Ezinne further questioned whether appropriate disciplinary measures had been taken against those responsible for the officiating error, stressing the need for greater transparency in the administration of football competitions.
The discussion also touched on the decision to move the continuation of the match to Egypt, with concerns raised about the implications for the teams and the competition.
For Ezinne, the controversy highlighted the importance of proper organisation, clear communication and accountability in African football.
However, the final outcome will ultimately be decided on the pitch, as both teams prepare for another opportunity to secure qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The debate on Inside Naija Sports reflects wider concerns about how administrative and officiating decisions can affect clubs, players and the credibility of football competitions.
