The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has annulled Edo Queens’ 4-1 penalty-shootout victory over Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU Zone B qualifying final, throwing the title race wide open.
The dramatic decision follows a formal protest by Ampem Darkoa after the September 5 final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, ended 2-2 after 90 minutes before the teams proceeded directly to penalties.
Edo Queens won the shootout 4-1 and were initially declared WAFU-B champions, securing the zone’s qualification ticket for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
However, CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football ruled that the penalty shootout should not have taken place because the mandatory 30 minutes of extra time had not been played.
Under Article 72.4 of the competition regulations, a drawn final must proceed to two 15-minute periods of extra time, with penalties only applicable if the scores remain level after extra time.
CAF consequently annulled the 4-1 penalty result and ordered the final to resume from the beginning of extra time, with the score standing at 2-2.
The teams will now play the full 30 minutes of extra time. If neither side emerges victorious after the additional period, a fresh penalty shootout will be held to determine the winner.
Importantly, CAF rejected a complete replay, ruling that the original 90 minutes were valid and should stand. The governing body also clarified that neither Edo Queens nor Ampem Darkoa was responsible for the failure to play extra time, attributing the error to an administrative instruction and the match officials’ subsequent application of that instruction.
CAF’s ruling therefore means Edo Queens’ celebrated penalty triumph no longer has sporting effect, while the 2-2 scoreline after regulation time remains intact.
The date, kick-off time and venue for the continuation will be determined by WAFU Zone B in consultation with CAF, the Nigeria Football Federation and the Ghana Football Association.
The eventual winner of the resumed contest will represent WAFU Zone B at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League final tournament.
What appeared to be a concluded championship has now been thrown back into the balance, with Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa facing another decisive battle for continental qualification.
