The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to engage with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the decision to annul Edo Queens' penalty-shootout victory over Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the WAFU Zone B qualifying final of the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League. The controversy arose after CAF's Organising Committee for Women's Football upheld a protest filed by the Ghana Football Association on behalf of Ampem Darkoa. The committee ordered that the match resume from the beginning of extra time, with the score standing at 2-2. This decision has placed the NFF in a delicate position as CAF acknowledged that neither Edo Queens nor Ampem Darkoa was responsible for the procedural error.
According to CAF, match officials had initially been informed that extra time would be played if the final remained level after regulation time. However, during the second half, the referee was subsequently instructed to proceed directly to a penalty shootout if the scores remained level at full-time. The referee followed the instruction in good faith, resulting in the penalty shootout which Edo Queens won 4-1. CAF attributed the omission of extra time to an erroneous administrative instruction and the consequent failure to apply the relevant competition regulations.
The decision followed a formal protest submitted by the Ghana Football Association within the stipulated period on behalf of Ampem Darkoa. The Ghanaian club argued that the decision to proceed directly to penalties after the 2-2 draw breached Articles 13.1 and 72.4 of the CAF Women's Champions League Regulations. Article 72.4 provides that where the final remains level after normal time, two 15-minute periods of extra time must be played before penalties can be used to determine the winner.
CAF did not order the entire match to be replayed but instead ordered that the match resume from the beginning of extra time with the score at 2-2. The two teams will play two 15-minute periods, and only if the scores remain level after the additional 30 minutes will a fresh penalty shootout be conducted to determine the winner. This approach preserves the valid sporting outcome of the first 90 minutes while correcting the stage of the match that was omitted.
For the NFF, the development is significant because Edo Queens had already been declared WAFU-B champions and appeared to have secured the region's qualification ticket for the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League final tournament. The latest ruling effectively removes the sporting effect of the 4-1 shootout victory and leaves the qualification place undecided. While CAF has not attributed any wrongdoing to the Nigerian side, Edo Queens must now prepare to return to the competition and complete the final under the corrective procedure ordered by the continental body.
The NFF's engagement with CAF is expected to centre on the implications of the ruling for the Nigerian champions and the circumstances under which the original procedure was changed during the match. CAF has directed that, as far as practically and legally possible, the sporting conditions existing at the end of the 90 minutes should be maintained. This includes the eligibility and disciplinary status of players and officials, substitutions already made, and the number of substitution opportunities remaining to each team.
The zonal body, WAFU Zone B, will determine and communicate the date, kick-off time, and venue for the continuation in consultation with CAF, the Ghana Football Association, and the NFF. Edo Queens had a strong campaign, reaching the final after defeating hosts USFA 5-1 in the semi-final, while Ampem Darkoa secured their place in the decider with a 4-1 victory over Dynamique FC de Calabi. The controversy has overshadowed what had otherwise been an impressive campaign by Edo Queens in the WAFU-B qualifiers.
Key points
- CAF's ruling ordered the match to resume from the beginning of extra time with a score of 2-2.
- The NFF will engage with CAF over the implications of the ruling for Edo Queens.
- The qualification place for the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League final tournament remains undecided.
