CAF Women’s Champions League: Ampem Darkoa defeat Edo Queens to secure the last spot
Ghana's Ampem Darkoa Ladies secured the final qualification spot for the CAF Women's Champions League Egypt 2026 after defeating Nigeria's Edo Queens in extra time in Cairo on Thursday, following a successful appeal over the handling of their earlier qualifying encounter.
Afishata Mohammed scored the decisive goal as the Ghanaian champions emerged victorious in the resumed contest to book their place in the eight-team continental tournament, scheduled for 1–15 November in Egypt.
The result brings an end to an unusual qualification dispute after Edo Queens had initially been declared winners of the WAFU Zone B qualifying final following a penalty shootout in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The two West African rivals had played out a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes before the Nigerian side prevailed on penalties and celebrated qualification.
However, Ampem Darkoa challenged the outcome, arguing that the competition regulations required the teams to play extra time before proceeding to a penalty shootout if the scores remained level.
The Ghanaian club subsequently lodged an appeal with CAF, contesting the procedure used to determine the winner.
Following the appeal, the clubs were instructed to resume the encounter from the start of extra time in Cairo on Thursday.
Ampem Darkoa took full advantage of their second opportunity, with Mohammed scoring the crucial goal that settled the contest and ended Edo Queens' hopes of reaching the continental finals.
The victory means Ghana will be represented at this year's CAF Women's Champions League, with Ampem Darkoa joining defending champions AS FAR of Morocco, Uganda's Kawempe Muslim Ladies and Mali's USFAS Bamako in Group B.
The Ghanaian side will begin their Group Stage campaign against USFAS Bamako on 2 November, as they look to make an impact in Africa's premier women's club competition.
For Edo Queens, the result represents a disappointing conclusion to a qualification campaign that had initially appeared to end in their favour.
Ampem Darkoa, meanwhile, can now turn their attention to preparations for the continental tournament after overcoming an extraordinary qualification battle that was ultimately decided on the pitch in Cairo