Omanghana
The CAF Appeal Board has upheld the decision to invalidate Edo Queens’ penalty shootout victory over Ampem Darkoa Ladies, directing that the WAFU Zone B qualifying final resume from the start of extra time with the score level at 2–2.
In its ruling issued on October 16, 2026, the board dismissed the Nigeria Football Federation’s appeal and maintained that the mandatory extra-time period must be played before a winner can be determined.
The final, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 5, ended 2–2 after regulation time. However, match officials proceeded directly to penalties following what CAF described as an erroneous administrative instruction. Edo Queens won the shootout 4–1.
Ampem Darkoa subsequently protested, citing Article 72.4 of the competition regulations, which requires two 15-minute periods of extra time before penalties in the event of a draw.
The CAF Organising Committee for Women’s Football upheld the Ghanaian club’s protest on September 26. Although neither team was considered responsible for the error, the committee ruled that the shootout result could not stand.
Edo Queens and the NFF challenged that decision, arguing that the Nigerian side had followed instructions from the appointed officials. The Appeal Board nevertheless upheld the requirement to complete the match under the prescribed format.
The teams will now play 30 minutes of extra time, beginning with the existing 2–2 scoreline. If they remain level, a fresh penalty shootout will decide the contest.
The board also amended the initial ruling to require an entirely new set of match officials for the continuation.
At stake is WAFU Zone B’s sole qualification place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt. The representative remains undecided pending completion of the final.
WAFU, in consultation with CAF, is expected to announce the date, kick-off time and venue for the resumed encounter.
Source: Omanghana
