By Comfort Larry 
Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies have reportedly lodged a protest with the relevant WAFU Zone B and CAF authorities over the decision to proceed directly to penalties after their 2-2 draw with Nigeria’s Edo Queens in the WAFU B Women’s Champions League final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The controversy centres on the decision not to play extra time before the penalty shootout at the August 4 Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
According to reports, Ampem Darkoa are challenging the application of the competition regulations, particularly Article 72.4 of the CAF Women’s Champions League Regulations, which reportedly provides for two 15-minute periods of extra time when a final is level after regulation time before penalties are used.
The final itself produced a dramatic contest. Ampem Darkoa took the lead through Beline Nyarko in the second minute, but Edo Queens quickly responded through Doosuur Anastasia Atume.
Nyarko restored Ampem Darkoa’s advantage from the penalty spot in the second half, only for Edo Queens substitute Oluebube Umejiaku to score in stoppage time and force the game into a shootout. CAF confirmed that the Nigerian champions eventually prevailed 4-1 on penalties to win the WAFU Zone B title and secure the region’s sole ticket to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
However, rather than playing the expected 30 minutes of extra time, the final proceeded directly to penalties. Reports indicate that this is the specific issue Ampem Darkoa have raised in their protest.
The protest comes after what had otherwise been an outstanding campaign for the Ghanaian champions. Ampem Darkoa entered the final unbeaten, having won all four of their previous matches, including a 2-1 victory over Edo Queens in the group stage. They subsequently defeated Benin’s FC Dynamique 4-1 in the semi-final to book their place in the decider.
Edo Queens, meanwhile, reached the final after a commanding 5-1 victory over hosts USFA before completing their campaign by overcoming Ampem Darkoa on penalties. The Nigerian champions were therefore crowned WAFU B champions and earned qualification for the continental competition.
The outcome of Ampem Darkoa’s reported protest could now depend on how WAFU Zone B and CAF interpret and apply the relevant competition regulations to the final.
For now, Edo Queens remain the winners of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers and the team officially holding the region’s CAF Women’s Champions League qualification place, while Ampem Darkoa await the response to their complaint. SportsBlog247 will continue to monitor developments as we look forward to a response from WAFU and CAF.
Emmanuel Nelson Nyarko 
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