Edo Queens have petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to annul their 3-2 defeat to Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the resumed WAFU-B qualifying final. The Nigerian club wants the governing body to suspend confirmation of the Ghanaian side’s qualification for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, Bold Sports reports.
In a petition dated October 29, Edo Queens challenged the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s encounter in Cairo, Egypt. The club raised concerns over the change of venue, player eligibility, accommodation arrangements and communication about the match. It also requested a full 90-minute replay under what it described as properly regulated conditions.
How the WAFU-B final reached this point
The dispute began on September 5, when Edo Queens faced Ampem Darkoa at the 4th of August Stadium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The teams drew 2-2 after 90 minutes before proceeding directly to penalties.
Edo Queens won the shootout 4-1 and initially claimed the regional title. However, Ampem Darkoa challenged the procedure through the Ghana Football Association. The Ghanaian club argued that the regulations required extra time before penalties.
More Read
CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football upheld the protest on September 26. The CAF Appeal Board subsequently upheld that decision on October 16.
The rulings nullified the sporting effect of the penalty shootout and directed the teams to resume the contest from the beginning of extra time. The score remained 2-2.
The teams returned to action in Cairo on Thursday. Mohammed Afishata scored in the 92nd minute to give Ampem Darkoa a 3-2 victory after extra time.
The result secured the Ghanaian club’s place at the continental tournament. However, Edo Queens have now challenged the circumstances of the resumed fixture itself.
Edo Queens raise three major concerns
The Nigerian club identified three principal grounds in its latest petition.
First, Edo Queens questioned the change of venue. The club alleged that organisers moved the match from Ouagadougou to Cairo without providing the required confirmation from WAFU B in accordance with CAF’s decision.
Second, the club raised concerns about sporting conditions and player eligibility. Edo Queens alleged that they could not field eligible players who had participated in the original match. They also questioned the decision to accommodate their delegation at a military base rather than a conventional team hotel.
Third, the club challenged the communication surrounding the fixture. According to the petition, officials did not provide clear and timely information about the venue, kick-off time and match arrangements. Edo Queens argued that these issues potentially undermined their preparations.
The allegations form the basis of the club’s request for CAF to reconsider the outcome of Thursday’s encounter.
What Edo Queens want CAF to do
Edo Queens have outlined several remedies in their petition.
The club wants CAF to treat the matter as urgent and suspend final confirmation of the WAFU-B qualification place until it determines the case.
It has also asked the governing body to declare the October 29 continuation null and void. Additionally, Edo Queens want CAF to direct WAFU B to produce the venue confirmation, match sheets, substitution records, player eligibility lists and disciplinary records.
Their preferred outcome is a complete 90-minute replay at the original venue, under properly regulated conditions and with eligible players.
However, the club has proposed an alternative if organisers cannot complete a replay before the continental tournament begins on November 1. In that situation, Edo Queens want CAF to declare them the WAFU-B champions.
Qualification dispute clouds continental preparations
Ampem Darkoa secured the regional title on the pitch with their extra-time victory. The Ghanaian side is scheduled to compete in Group B of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League alongside Morocco’s AS FAR, Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies and Mali’s USFAS Bamako.
The tournament is scheduled to run in Egypt from November 1 to 15.
Edo Queens, who reached the semi-finals during their debut appearance in 2024, now hope their petition will change the outcome of the regional qualifying contest.
However, the club’s demands remain requests rather than an established ruling. No decision on the latest petition appears in the material provided.
The next development will depend on CAF’s response to the allegations and the remedies sought by the Nigerian champions.
© Bold Sports Media. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
