Edo Queens defeated Ampem Darkoa Ladies to emerge WAFU-B 2026 champions

…Qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League

Edo Queens Football Club on Saturday night defeated Ghana Women’s League champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies 4-1 on penalties to win the 2026 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifiers for the second time.

It was an impressive night in Ouagadougou as the Nigerian champions twice staged a spirited comeback to frustrate Ampem Darkoa Ladies, who had remained unbeaten throughout the tournament before the thrilling penalty shoot-out.

The closely contested final ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Doosuur Anastasia Atume giving Edo Queens an early lead in the fourth minute before Beline Nyarkoh equalized for Ampem Darkoa in the second minute.

Nyarkoh completed his brace in the 74th minute to put the Ghanaian champions ahead, but Edo Queens refused to give up, and Oluebube Umejiaku scored a spectacular equalizer in the fourth minute of added time to force the match to a penalty shoot-out.

Edo Queens held their nerve from the penalty spot, converting four penalties, while Ampem Darkoa managed just one to seal a 4-1 victory on penalties and lift the WAFU-B trophy.

The Nigerian champions previously won the WAFU-B title in 2024, when they finished fourth in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals in Morocco.

The victory also avenged Edo Queens’ only loss of the tournament. Ampem Darkoa had beaten the Nigerian team 2-1 in their last Group B match to finish first in the group ahead of Edo Queens.

On their way to the final, Edo Queens put in a commanding performance in the semi-finals, thrashing hosts USFA 5-1 to book their spot in the title final.

Ampem Darkoa, meanwhile, secured their final spot with a 4-1 win over FC Dynamique of Benin Republic.

FC Dynamique had previously enjoyed an impressive campaign in the group stage, defeating Niger Republic’s AS Garde Nationale 7-0 in their opening match before claiming a 3-1 victory over Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas. However, they suffered a 2-1 loss to Ampem Darkoa in their final group match.

With their victory in Ouagadougou, Edo Queens secured qualification for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.