WAFU Zone B Executive Director Philippe Tchere says he is eagerly anticipating the final of the ongoing WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League Qualifying Tournament in Ouagadougou, describing the showdown between Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies and Nigeria’s Edo Queens as a potential showcase of the growing quality of women’s football in the zone.
The two sides will meet in the grand finale after producing emphatic victories in their respective semifinal clashes on Wednesday. Ampem Darkoa Ladies defeated FC Dynamique of Benin 4-1, while Edo Queens delivered an equally dominant performance, sweeping aside hosts USFA of Burkina Faso 5-1 to set up a repeat of their Group B encounter.
The finalists are no strangers to each other, having already faced off in the group stage. Ampem Darkoa emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over the Nigerian champions, giving the Ghanaian side the psychological advantage heading into the final. However, Edo Queens will be determined to reverse that result when the two teams meet again with a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League at stake.
Tchere believes the final has all the ingredients to produce one of the continent’s outstanding women’s football matches, praising both teams for their technical quality, defensive organisation and goalscoring ability. “I can’t wait for the final,” he said.
“These are two sides who possess the ball very well, defend very well and have also scored a lot of goals in the tournament. I applaud their coaches for a wonderful job done and congrats to both of them for making it to the final.”
The WAFU Zone B Executive Director is confident the encounter will attract attention well beyond the borders of the sub-region, with both teams having impressed throughout the competition. “I know Africa will talk after the final no matter who wins it. I know we will witness good football to add to the fact that women’s football is growing in the zone,” he added.
The final promises to be a fitting climax to the tournament as Ampem Darkoa seek to repeat their group-stage triumph and Edo Queens chase revenge.
Beyond the battle for the WAFU Zone B title and the coveted CAF Women’s Champions League ticket, the encounter represents another important statement about the rising standards and growing strength of women’s football across the region.