CAF DECLARES EDO QUEENS’ PENALTY VICTORY INVALID, ORDERS WAFU-B FINAL TO RESUME FROM 2-2

NAIJASPORTAINMENT BLOG

27th September 2026

CAF ANNULS EDO QUEENS’ PENALTY VICTORY OVER AMPEM DARKOA, ORDERS FINAL TO RESUME FROM 2-2

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has annulled Edo Queens’ 4-1 penalty-shootout victory over Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU Zone B qualifying tournament.

The decision follows a formal protest by the Ghana Football Association and Ampem Darkoa over the decision to proceed directly to penalties after the final ended 2-2 after 90 minutes in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 5 September 2026.

According to the CAF decision contained in the document issued from Kinshasa on 26 September, the match officials should have allowed 30 minutes of extra time — two 15-minute periods — before resorting to penalties.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FINAL?

Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa produced a dramatic final, with both teams twice finding themselves in front before the match eventually finished 2-2 after regulation time.

Edo Queens subsequently won the penalty shootout 4-1 and were initially crowned WAFU Zone B champions, earning the region’s qualification ticket for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League. CAF itself reported the shootout victory and qualification at the time.

However, Ampem Darkoa challenged the procedure used to determine the winner.

The Ghanaian club argued that the competition regulations required the final to go into extra time because the score was level after 90 minutes.

CAF FINDS ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR

The CAF document states that reports from the referee and referee assessor established that the match officials had been reminded before the game that extra time was required if the score remained level at the end of normal time.

However, during the second half, the referee was instructed to proceed directly to a penalty shootout if the match ended in a draw.

The referee followed that instruction in good faith.

CAF’s committee therefore determined that the failure to play extra time was not caused by either Edo Queens or Ampem Darkoa, but resulted from an erroneous administrative instruction and the subsequent non-application of the relevant competition regulations.

EDO QUEENS’ 4-1 SHOOTOUT WIN NO LONGER STANDS

The ruling means that Edo Queens’ penalty-shootout victory has been annulled.

The 4-1 shootout result therefore no longer determines the WAFU Zone B champion.

This is a major change from CAF’s original announcement, which had declared Edo Queens champions and confirmed their qualification for the continental competition.

FINAL TO CONTINUE FROM 2-2

The two clubs are now expected to return to the pitch to complete the decisive stage of the final.

The match will resume from the 2-2 scoreline, with the required two 15-minute periods of extra time to be played.

If the teams remain level after the additional 30 minutes, the winner will then be decided by a penalty shootout.

The eventual winner will take the WAFU Zone B qualification ticket for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

AMPem DARKOA’S PROTEST PAYS OFF

Ampem Darkoa had formally protested the decision shortly after the final.

The Ghanaian champions argued that they had prepared for extra time and had players ready to enter the game, only for the officials to direct the teams straight to penalties.

The club requested that either the stipulated 30 minutes of extra time be played or that the match be continued from the point at which the incorrect penalty decision was made.

CAF has now accepted the substance of the complaint and overturned the sporting effect of the penalty shootout.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR EDO QUEENS

For Edo Queens, the decision comes after what had initially been celebrated as a historic regional triumph.

The Nigerian champions had produced a strong campaign in Burkina Faso, including a 5-1 semi-final victory over hosts USFA, before fighting back from behind twice against Ampem Darkoa in the final.

They appeared to have completed the job when they won the penalty shootout 4-1.

That result has now been set aside, leaving the Nigerian champions with another decisive battle ahead.

THE QUALIFICATION TICKET IS BACK UP FOR GRABS

The latest development means the WAFU Zone B ticket to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League is once again at stake.

Neither Edo Queens nor Ampem Darkoa can claim the qualification place on the basis of the original penalty shootout.

Instead, the two sides must settle the matter through the additional 30 minutes ordered following CAF’s ruling, with penalties available only if the aggregate score remains level after extra time.

The date and venue for the resumption of the final have not yet been publicly confirmed in the reports currently available.

THE BIG QUESTION

Can Edo Queens finish the job in extra time, or will Ampem Darkoa complete their protest victory by taking the WAFU-B ticket?

What began as a dramatic Nigerian triumph has now become one of the most unusual endings to a women’s continental qualifying final.

The next 30 minutes could decide everything.

By OLAWALE HAMZAT TOP STRIKER

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