Ampem Darkoa wait on CAF appeal as Nigeria fight WAFU B final ruling
Ghana's Ampem Darkoa Ladies are still waiting to learn whether they will get a second chance at a place in the CAF Women's Champions League, after the Nigeria Football Federation appealed against a ruling that went in the Ghanaian club's favour.
How the dispute began
Ampem Darkoa met Nigerian champions Edo Queens in the WAFU B qualifying final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 5. The match finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, and the teams went straight to a penalty shootout, which Edo Queens won 4-1 to claim the zonal title and the region's ticket to the continental competition.
The problem was that no extra time had been played. The Ghana Football Association protested on Ampem Darkoa's behalf.
CAF's ruling
In a decision dated September 26, CAF's Organising Committee for Women's Football ruled that extra time should have been played before penalties. According to reports in the Nigerian press, CAF found that the error came from an incorrect administrative instruction and that neither club was responsible.
CAF did not grant Ampem Darkoa's request for a full replay. Instead, it ordered the final to resume from 2-2, with two 15-minute periods of extra time and a fresh shootout if the teams are still level. Footballinnigeria reports that Edo Queens were also told to return the trophy and medals.
Nigeria's appeal
The NFF has now taken the case to CAF's Appeals Committee on behalf of Edo Queens. The federation argues that the Nigerian side did not choose or request to skip extra time and simply followed the match officials' instructions. It also says CAF found no misconduct or bad faith by Edo Queens, and has asked for the original shootout victory to be restored.
Until the appeal is decided, the WAFU B qualification place remains unsettled. Reports have not yet indicated when or where any extra time would be played.
A familiar stage for Ampem Darkoa
The Techiman-based club know this competition well. Ampem Darkoa lost the WAFU B final to Bayelsa Queens in 2022 before beating Delta Queens 1-0 to win it in 2023. They are now hoping the appeals process gives them the chance to finish the job on the pitch.
Ampem Darkoa's influence on the national team is also on show this week, with Rabiatu Maltiti, Rose Teye Baah, Diana Amoako and Nancy Amoah all in the Black Queens squad for the Olympic qualifier against Mauritius.
Photo: Macabe5387 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0