Ampem Darkoa Ladies secure CAF Women's Champions League qualification after dramatic replay victory over Edo Queens
Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies have secured qualification for the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League after recording a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Nigeria's Edo Queens following extra time in a rescheduled WAFU B final in Cairo, Egypt The victory marks a significant achievement for the Ghanaian side, who demonstrated determination, resilience and composure to overcome their Nigerian counterparts in a fiercely contested encounter. The match, which had attracted considerable attention following a controversial decision in the original fixture, ended with Ampem Darkoa Ladies emerging victorious and securing their place among Africa's elite women's football clubs for the continental competition The decisive encounter was played after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) upheld a protest lodged by Ampem Darkoa Ladies over the handling of extra time during the original final in September.
The Ghanaian club had challenged the match proceedings, arguing that extra time had been skipped before the game proceeded to a penalty shootout Edo Queens had initially secured victory through a penalty shootout, but CAF's decision to uphold Ampem Darkoa Ladies' protest changed the outcome of the original proceedings. The governing body annulled the Nigerian side's penalty-shootout victory and ordered the match to resume from a 2-2 scoreline, allowing the remaining stages of the contest to be played under the appropriate conditions The replay presented both teams with another opportunity to determine the winner on the pitch, with qualification for the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League at stake.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies took advantage of the opportunity, maintaining their competitive spirit throughout the encounter before eventually sealing a 3-2 triumph after extra time The victory also underlines the importance of perseverance in football, as the Ghanaian side had to navigate the disappointment and uncertainty surrounding the original final before returning to the pitch to complete the contest. Their performance in Cairo ultimately delivered the result they had been seeking and ensured that Ghana would be represented at the continental women's club championship Head coach Charles Anokye Frimpong and his technical team will now turn their attention to preparing the squad for the challenges ahead, with the club set to compete against some of the strongest women's teams on the African continent.
The qualification offers the team another opportunity to demonstrate the quality of women's football in Ghana and compete for continental honours Ampem Darkoa Ladies' qualification is particularly significant given the standard of competition expected at the tournament. The CAF Women's Champions League brings together leading clubs from across Africa, providing a platform for players to showcase their abilities, gain international experience and compete for one of the continent's most prestigious prizes in women's club football Following their qualification, Ampem Darkoa Ladies have been placed in Group B alongside Uganda's Kawempe Muslim Ladies, Morocco's defending champions AS FAR and Mali's USFAS Bamako Kawempe Muslim Ladies will be making their debut in the competition and will be eager to make a strong impression against more experienced opposition.
Their inclusion adds another dimension to the group, as the Ugandan side will seek to prove themselves on the continental stage Morocco's AS FAR, meanwhile, enter the competition as defending champions and will be among the teams expected to mount a serious challenge for the title. Their experience and previous success in the tournament make them formidable opponents for Ampem Darkoa Ladies and the other clubs in the group USFAS Bamako of Mali will also present a challenging test for the Ghanaian champions as they seek to advance beyond the group stage.
With teams from four different footballing backgrounds competing for progression, Group B promises to provide an exciting contest in which consistency, tactical discipline and effective finishing could prove decisive For Ampem Darkoa Ladies, the immediate priority will be to prepare adequately for the demands of the competition, strengthen their tactical organisation and ensure that the players are physically and mentally ready for the challenges ahead. Their ability to compete against AS FAR, Kawempe Muslim Ladies and USFAS Bamako will be crucial to their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages The Ghanaian side will also be hoping to build on the momentum generated by their dramatic victory over Edo Queens.
Winning a high-pressure match after extra time can provide a significant psychological boost, particularly when the result follows a prolonged dispute over the original fixture Their success in Cairo therefore represents more than just qualification for another tournament. It is a reward for their persistence in pursuing a fair conclusion to the WAFU B final and their ability to deliver when given another opportunity to settle the contest on the field Ampem Darkoa Ladies will now carry Ghana's hopes into the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League, where they will aim to compete strongly against the continent's leading clubs and make a lasting impression on Africa's biggest stage for women's club football