Edo Queens accept CAF decision, vow to fight for Women’s Champions League spot

Edo Queens have accepted the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to resume the outstanding extra time of their disputed WAFU-B final against Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies in Cairo, Egypt, on 29 October, insisting that their ambition to secure a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League remains unchanged.

The Nigerian champions confirmed their position in an official statement released on Thursday following the conclusion of an appeal process that saw CAF uphold its decision to annul Edo Queens’ penalty shootout victory and order the final to continue from extra time.

The dispute dates back to 5 September, when Edo Queens faced Ampem Darkoa in the WAFU-B qualifying final at the 4th of August Stadium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The encounter ended 2-2 after regulation time, but instead of proceeding to the required two 15-minute periods of extra time, the match went straight to a penalty shootout, which Edo Queens won 4-1.

The result initially appeared to have secured the Nigerian side the WAFU-B title and the zone’s ticket to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League. However, Ampem Darkoa, through the Ghana Football Association, protested the decision to proceed directly to penalties, arguing that the competition regulations required extra time to be played before a shootout could determine the winner.

CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football subsequently annulled the penalty shootout result and ordered the match to resume from the beginning of extra time, with the score remaining 2-2.

The decision sparked a response from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which appealed on behalf of Edo Queens, arguing that the Nigerian club should not be penalised for an error committed by the match officials.

The NFF maintained that Edo Queens had neither requested nor caused the omission of extra time but had simply followed the instructions of the officials appointed to oversee the final.

However, the CAF Appeal Board, in its ruling of 16 October, upheld the earlier decision, confirming that the 4-1 penalty shootout victory had no sporting effect and that the match must resume from the 2-2 scoreline at the start of extra time.

The continuation will consist of two 15-minute periods, with a fresh penalty shootout to determine the winner if the teams remain level after the additional 30 minutes. CAF also directed that different match officials be appointed for the resumption.

Following the unsuccessful appeal, Edo Queens said the club had decided to accept CAF’s position after consultations with its board, the Edo State Government and the NFF.

While admitting that the outcome was not what the club had hoped for, the Nigerian champions stressed that their decision to proceed with the match was driven by the need to settle the contest on the pitch and give both teams the opportunity to determine the outcome through football.

The club also expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government and the NFF for their support and commitment throughout the appeal process, acknowledging their efforts to defend its interests during the dispute.

Edo Queens further thanked their loyal supporters and members of the media who stood by the team, describing their encouragement, solidarity and belief as a tremendous source of strength during a difficult period.

Despite the disappointment surrounding CAF’s ruling, the club insisted that its focus had now shifted to the decisive encounter in Cairo, where the players and technical crew will have another opportunity to secure the WAFU-B ticket to the continental competition.

“Our mission remains unchanged: to fight, to win and to secure our place in the CAF Women’s Champions League,” the statement read.

The club acknowledged the disappointment that the outcome of the appeal might cause among supporters but maintained that it was determined to move forward with courage, discipline, resilience and an unwavering commitment to its badge.

Edo Queens also assured the people of Edo State and their fans that the players and technical crew remained focused, determined and ready to give everything within their power to emerge victorious when the outstanding portion of the final resumes in Egypt.

With the WAFU-B qualification ticket still undecided, the Nigerian side called on its supporters to continue standing behind the team, urging them to keep believing in the Queens and demonstrating the love and solidarity that have accompanied the club throughout its campaign.

The club emphasised that the backing of its fans would remain invaluable as the players prepare for what promises to be a decisive test of their resolve against Ampem Darkoa.

Reaffirming its identity beyond the football pitch, Edo Queens described itself as a symbol of the strength, ambition and fighting spirit of the Edo people, promising to carry those values into the encounter in Cairo.

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The statement ended with a rallying message to supporters as the club prepares for the resumption of the final.

“Together, we will fight. Together, we will believe. Together, we will pursue victory and the dream of playing in the CAF Women’s Champions League.”

The winner of the resumed final will represent WAFU-B at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, scheduled to take place in Egypt from 1-5 November.

For Edo Queens, the task is now clear: put the disappointment of the appeal behind them, return to the pitch against Ampem Darkoa and fight to reclaim the continental opportunity they initially believed they had secured in Ouagadougou.