Edo Queens Lift WAFU B Crown, Secure CAF Women’s Champions League Ticket

By Benson Daniel

Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the 2026 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifiers after defeating Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies on penalties in a dramatic final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The Nigerian champions won 4 1 on penalties after the match ended 2 2 in regulation time, securing the regional title and a place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Ampem Darkoa made a blistering start to the final, taking the lead just two minutes into the contest through Beline Nyarko. Edo Queens responded almost immediately, with Dooshima Tarnum restoring parity as the Nigerian side refused to allow their opponents to dictate the contest.

The Ghanaian champions regained the advantage after the break when Nyarko converted from the penalty spot for her second goal of the night.

Edo Queens continued to push forward in search of another equaliser and were eventually rewarded deep into stoppage time. Substitute Oluebube Umejiaku found the net in the 94th minute to make it 2 2 and force the final into a penalty shootout.

The Nigerian side showed greater composure when the pressure shifted to the spot. Edo Queens converted four of their penalties, while Ampem Darkoa scored only once, handing the Nigerian champions a 4 1 shootout victory.

The triumph gives Edo Queens their second WAFU B title and marks another important step in the club’s rapid rise in African women’s football. The Nigerian champions had previously won the regional competition in 2024.

Edo Queens had also produced an impressive run before the final, including a 5 1 victory over hosts USFA in the semifinals. Their performance throughout the tournament underlined their status as one of the leading women’s clubs in the region.

The victory means Edo Queens will now represent the WAFU B zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League, where they will face some of the continent’s strongest women’s clubs.

The Nigerian champions will head into the continental competition with confidence after another successful campaign in West Africa, hoping to improve on their previous CAF Women’s Champions League experience.

For Edo Queens, the dramatic comeback against Ampem Darkoa was a fitting conclusion to a tournament campaign marked by attacking quality, resilience and determination.