Ampem Darkoa Ladies missed out on qualification for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League after suffering a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Nigeria’s Edo Queens in the final of the WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The finals ended 2-2 after regulation time at the August 4 Stadium on Saturday, before Edo Queens held their nerve in the shootout to claim the regional title and a place in Africa’s premier women’s club competition.
Ampem Darkoa got off to a flying start when Beline Nyarko scored in the second minute, but Edo Queens responded almost immediately as Doosuur Anastasia Atume levelled two minutes later.
The Ghanaian champions, who entered the final with a 100 percent record from four matches, continued to press for victory after defeating Benin’s FC Dynamique d’Abomey 4-1 in the semi-finals. They had also beaten Edo Queens 2-1 during the group stage.
Edo Queens, however, demonstrated resilience throughout the contest and stayed in the game to force the match to penalties after another closely contested encounter.
In the shootout, the Nigerian side converted all four of their spot-kicks, while Ampem Darkoa managed just one, sealing a 4-1 victory and the WAFU Zone B title.
The triumph completes an impressive campaign for Edo Queens, who had reached the final after a commanding 5-1 win over hosts USFA in the semi-finals.
Despite the defeat, Ampem Darkoa’s Nyarko Beline won the Most Valuable Player in the finals.
Edo Queens would now represent the WAFU Zone B region at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
GNA
