Edo Queens surrender to CAF ruling ahead of WAFU-B final clash in Cairo

Edo Queens have accepted the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the appeal over the disputed WAFU-B final against Ghana’s Ampem FC, pledging to complete the match in Cairo in their quest to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League.

The Nigerian champions said although the outcome of the appeal was not what the club had hoped for, they had decided to move forward and settle the contest on the pitch in the interest of sporting fairness.

In a statement, the club said the decision followed consultations with its board, the Edo State Government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which supported and represented the team throughout the appeal process.

Edo Queens also announced that the team would depart for Cairo on Monday, October 26, ahead of the decisive encounter, as they seek to secure their place in the continental women’s club championship scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026.

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

The club acknowledged the disappointment among its supporters following CAF’s ruling but said it shared their determination to see the matter resolved through football rather than prolonged disputes.

“We have chosen to move forward with courage, discipline and resilience,” Edo Queens added.

The club expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government and the NFF for their support, guidance and representation during the appeal process. It also thanked its supporters and members of the media for standing by the team while the case was being considered.

Edo Queens called on their fans to continue supporting the players and technical crew ahead of the decisive match, insisting that the team remained focused on representing Edo State and Nigeria with pride.

The club’s decision to proceed with the match marks a new phase in a dispute that has overshadowed the conclusion of the WAFU-B women’s club competition and left qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League subject to the outcome of the disciplinary process.

Dispute over penalty shootout

The controversy followed the WAFU-B final between Edo Queens and Ampem FC of Ghana in Burkina Faso on September 5, 2026.

The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes of regulation time, after which Edo Queens defeated the Ghanaian side 4-1 in a penalty shootout and were declared winners.

However, Ampem FC subsequently protested the decision to proceed directly to penalties, arguing that an additional 30 minutes of extra time should have been played in accordance with the applicable competition regulations.

The Ghanaian club challenged the process through the relevant CAF disciplinary channels, seeking a review of the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the final.

CAF’s disciplinary and appeal bodies subsequently considered the matter and ruled in favour of Ampem FC, overturning the outcome that had initially seen Edo Queens declared winners.

The ruling changed the course of the competition and prompted further uncertainty over how the final and the qualification place for the CAF Women’s Champions League would be resolved.

Edo Queens’ decision to accept the ruling and complete the match represents the club’s stated commitment to concluding the contest on the pitch, despite its disappointment with the appeal outcome.

Focus shifts to Cairo

With the team scheduled to travel to Cairo on October 26, attention has now shifted to preparations for the rescheduled conclusion of the final.

The players and technical crew will be expected to maintain their concentration and competitive readiness despite the disruption caused by the dispute and the uncertainty surrounding the team’s status.

For Edo Queens, the stakes extend beyond the outcome of a single match. A successful result would strengthen the club’s bid to represent Nigeria in the CAF Women’s Champions League, while the encounter also offers an opportunity to put the controversy behind them and settle the contest through football.

The club has assured supporters that its ambition remains intact and that the team is prepared to approach the challenge with discipline, determination and resilience.

Edo Queens’ appeal for continued public support also reflects the importance of the contest to the club and its supporters, who had celebrated the team’s initial victory before the subsequent protest altered the outcome.

As the team prepares for the journey to Egypt, the focus will be on completing the disputed final and determining which side earns the opportunity to progress to Africa’s premier women’s club competition.

For Edo Queens, the message is clear: despite the disappointment of the appeal ruling, the club intends to fight for its continental ambition when the decisive encounter resumes in Cairo.