Edo Queens FC have appealed against the decision to annul their penalty-shootout victory over Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa in the WAFU Zone B qualifying tournament for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Nigerian club filed the appeal with the CAF Appeals Board on September 28, challenging the decision by CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football to cancel the shootout and order the final to resume from the start of extra time.
Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa played out a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes in the final on September 5, before the Nigerian side won the ensuing penalty shootout 4-1. However, following a protest from Ampem Darkoa, CAF ruled that the match should have gone through extra time before penalties, citing a failure to apply the competition regulations.
While Edo Queens acknowledge that a procedural irregularity occurred, they argue that the club should not be held responsible for an error it did not cause. According to their appeal, the referee had been instructed during the second half to proceed directly to a penalty shootout if the match ended level and acted on that instruction in good faith.
The club also argues that it was not given a meaningful opportunity to present its case before CAF reached a decision that directly affects its qualification and sporting interests. Edo Queens further point to CAF’s own finding that the omission of extra time resulted from an administrative error rather than any action by either participating club.
Edo Queens are therefore challenging both the decision to correct the procedural error and the remedy imposed, arguing that any corrective measure should be proportionate to the established breach. The Appeals Board will now review the case and determine whether the directive for the final to resume at 2-2 from the start of extra time will stand or whether Edo Queens’ original penalty-shootout victory will be restored.
