Edo Queens face tricky 30-minute battle for CAF Women's Champions League ticket

Nigeria's Edo Queens FC will return to the pitch today (Thursday) to face Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies in a decisive 30-minute extra-time showdown for the WAFU-B zone's remaining ticket to the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League. The encounter, to be played in Cairo, Egypt, concludes a controversial WAFU-B qualifying final held in Burkina Faso two months ago.

With a place in Africa's premier women's club competition at stake, both teams must settle the contest on the pitch after the original fixture ended in a dispute over the officiating. Edo Queens had initially been declared winners after defeating Ampem Darkoa 4-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

However, Ampem Darkoa subsequently petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF), challenging the outcome and prompting the continental governing body to order a replay of the final 30 minutes of extra time. The ruling has prolonged the qualification battle, leaving Edo Queens to defend their position while Ampem Darkoa pursue another chance to secure the coveted continental berth.

Edo Queens seek to finish the Job For Edo Queens, Thursday's encounter represents an opportunity to put the controversy behind them and confirm their place among Africa's leading women's clubs. The Nigerian side had appeared to settle the contest in Burkina Faso after holding Ampem Darkoa to a 2-2 draw before triumphing in the penalty shootout.

However, the subsequent ruling means their earlier victory no longer guarantees qualification, and they must now play an additional 30 minutes. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the fixture, confidence within the Edo Queens camp remains high, with head coach Moses Aduku expressing satisfaction with the players' mental preparation ahead of the decisive encounter.

"The players are in the right frame of mind," Aduku said. That confidence will be important in a contest where concentration, composure and tactical discipline could prove decisive.

With only 30 minutes scheduled, Edo Queens will need to manage the game intelligently, avoid unnecessary errors and make the most of their opportunities. The Nigerian champions will also need to stay focused amid the fixture's unusual circumstances.

Rather than letting the controversy distract them, they must focus on securing the result needed to advance. Ampem Darkoa eye redemption after controversial final Ampem Darkoa Ladies, meanwhile, will approach the rescheduled period determined to take advantage of the opportunity created by CAF's decision.

The Ghanaian side had drawn 2-2 with Edo Queens before losing the penalty shootout in Burkina Faso. Their subsequent petition over the officiating resulted in the order for 30 minutes of extra time to be played, giving them another chance to claim the WAFU-B representative's place.