Nigeria’s Edo Queens have crowned champions of the 2026 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualification competition after a thrilling penalty shootout triumph over Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies.
The dramatic final ended 2-2 in regulation time with Edo Queens coming from behind on two occasions before keeping their nerve from the penalty spot to win the regional crown and earn qualification to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
The final, in Ouagadougou, was delayed by more than an hour because of severe rain and strong gusts. Ampem Darkoa started on a fast pace as Berline Nyarko scored just two minutes.
However, Edo Queens reacted swiftly via Dooshima Tarnum who levelled the scores to ensure the Nigerian champions went into the latter parts of the game solidly in contention.
Ampem Darkoa again led in the second half from the penalty spot which was converted by Nyarko for her second goal of the nite. Ghanaian champions looked set for victory until Edo Queens staged a dramatic late response.
Substitute Oluebube Umejiaku struck deep in stoppage time to make it 2-2 and bring the championship to a penalty shootout. Edo Queens converted all four of their kicks while Ampem Darkoa had only one successful effort as the Nigerian team triumphed 4-1 in the shootout.
The win means Edo Queens will be the WAFU B zone representatives at the 2019 CAF Women’s Champions League, a return to Africa’s premier women club competition for the club after the last time in 2024.
The individual awards went also to Edo Queens in the event. Doosuur Anastasia Atume won the Golden Boot with four goals and five assists. Sixteen-year-old Oluwakemi Adegbuyi was awarded the tournament’s Best Player and won the Golden Ball.
The success further cements Edo Queens as one of the dominant forces in Nigerian and West African women’s football following their last WAFU B triumph in 2024.
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