Edo Queens have accepted the Confederation of African Football’s decision to resume their disputed WAFU-B final against Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies, turning their attention to a fresh contest for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Nigerian side will return to the pitch on October 29 in Cairo, Egypt, to play the outstanding 30 minutes of extra time, with the score level at 2–2 after regulation time. The winner will claim the WAFU-B qualifying place, while a penalty shootout will follow if neither side can break the deadlock during extra time.
In a statement released on Thursday, Edo Queens acknowledged that the outcome of their appeal was not what the club had hoped for. However, following consultations with their board, the Edo State Government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), they decided to move forward and settle the contest on the pitch.
“Our mission remains unchanged: to fight, to win and to secure our place in the CAF Women’s Champions League,” the club said.
Edo Queens are scheduled to depart for Cairo on Monday, October 26, giving the squad three days before the resumption of the final.
The club also recognised the frustration among its supporters but urged them to remain behind the team as the players and technical crew prepare for another decisive encounter.
“We have chosen to move forward with courage, discipline and resilience,” the statement added.
Edo Queens thanked the Edo State Government and the NFF for their support during the appeal process, while also acknowledging the backing of their fans and the media.
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The controversy stems from the WAFU-B qualifying final played on September 5 at the 4th of August Stadium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The match ended 2–2 after 90 minutes, but instead of proceeding to the required two 15-minute periods of extra time, the teams went straight to penalties. Edo Queens won the shootout 4–1 and were initially declared champions.
Ampem Darkoa, through the Ghana Football Association, subsequently challenged the procedure, arguing that the competition regulations required extra time before a penalty shootout.
CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football upheld the protest in a decision reached on September 26. It ruled that moving directly to penalties breached the applicable regulations and annulled the shootout result.
Rather than order a complete replay, CAF directed the teams to resume the match from the beginning of extra time, with the score remaining 2–2. The outstanding 30 minutes will therefore determine whether either team can secure victory before penalties become necessary.
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The winner will represent the WAFU-B zone at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament, which is scheduled to begin in Cairo on November 1.
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