Darkoa Beat Edo Queens 3-2
Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies have qualified for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League after defeating Nigeria’s Edo Queens 3–2 following extra time in Cairo, Egypt.
Afishata Mohammed scored the decisive goal with a powerful header from a corner only two minutes into the resumed contest. Her intervention completed one of the most unusual qualification stories in African club football and ensured Ghana will be represented at the continent’s leading women’s club competition.
The victory gives Ampem Darkoa the final place in the eight-team tournament, which will be staged in Ismailia, Egypt, from 1–15 November 2026.
How Ampem Darkoa Beat Edo Queens
The qualification battle began on 5 September 2026 when Ampem Darkoa and Edo Queens met in the WAFU Zone B qualifying final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Ampem Darkoa made an excellent start, with Berline Nyarko opening the scoring after only two minutes. Edo Queens responded through Dooshima Tarnum, who equalised before half-time.
The Ghanaian champions regained their advantage during the second half after Nancy Amoh was fouled inside the penalty area. Nyarko converted the resulting spot kick to score her second goal and put Ampem Darkoa 2–1 ahead.
Edo Queens refused to surrender, however, and substitute Oluebube Umejiaku scored a late equaliser to make it 2–2 after 90 minutes. The match officials then sent the contest directly to a penalty shootout, which Edo Queens won 4–1.
The Nigerian champions celebrated what initially appeared to be their qualification for the continental tournament—but that was not the end of the story.
Why CAF Annulled the Penalty Shootout
Ampem Darkoa lodged an official protest through the Ghana Football Association, arguing that the WAFU Zone B competition regulations required two 15-minute periods of extra time before a penalty shootout could take place.
CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football reviewed the case and upheld the protest on 26 September. The committee determined that the shootout should not have been conducted immediately after the 2–2 draw.
CAF attributed the mistake to an administrative instruction and confirmed that neither Ampem Darkoa nor Edo Queens was responsible. The governing body allowed the original 90 minutes to remain valid but annulled Edo Queens’ penalty-shootout victory.
Instead of ordering a complete replay, CAF ruled that the final should resume from the start of extra time with the score at 2–2. The teams were instructed to play two 15-minute periods, followed by a new penalty shootout if the score remained level.
Edo Queens challenged that ruling, but the CAF Appeal Board upheld the original decision on 16 October. The continuation was subsequently arranged in Cairo, with different match officials appointed for the decisive extra-time period.
Afishata Mohammed Becomes Ampem Darkoa’s Hero
Ampem Darkoa made the most of their second opportunity when the match resumed in Cairo on Thursday, 29 October.
Only two minutes into extra time, Afishata Mohammed rose to meet a corner and powered her header into the net. The goal moved Ampem Darkoa 3–2 ahead and placed the Ghanaian champions within touching distance of qualification.
Edo Queens responded with sustained pressure in search of another equaliser, but Charles Anokye Frimpong’s players remained organised and disciplined.
Ampem Darkoa protected their penalty area, managed the decisive moments and prevented the Nigerian champions from forcing another shootout. When the final whistle arrived, the Ghanaian side had secured the WAFU Zone B qualification ticket.
Ampem Darkoa Return to the Continental Stage
The 2026 tournament will be Ampem Darkoa’s second appearance at the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Ghanaian club made its competition debut in 2023 and finished fourth. That campaign demonstrated its ability to compete against leading clubs from across Africa, and the experience gained should prove valuable in Egypt.
Returning to the tournament also represents an important achievement for Ghanaian women’s football. It gives local players another opportunity to compete on a continental stage, gain international exposure and test themselves against different tactical styles.
Ampem Darkoa’s qualification can inspire younger female players in Ghana and bring greater attention to the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League. A strong performance in Egypt would further enhance the reputation of both the club and Ghana’s domestic women’s game.
Ampem Darkoa’s Group B Opponents
Ampem Darkoa will compete in Group B alongside three strong opponents:
- AS FAR of Morocco: The defending CAF Women’s Champions League winners and one of Africa’s most experienced women’s clubs.
- Kawempe Muslim Ladies of Uganda: The CECAFA representatives, known for their energy and emerging young talent.
- USFAS Bamako of Mali: The WAFU A representatives and Ampem Darkoa’s opening opponents.
The Ghanaian champions begin their group-stage campaign against USFAS Bamako on 2 November. They will then face Kawempe Muslim Ladies and defending champions AS FAR while competing for one of the group’s two semi-final places.
Group A features Egyptian hosts FC Masar, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Morocco’s FUS Rabat and Cameroon’s Lekié Football Filles.
The tournament begins on 1 November, with the semi-finals scheduled for 11 November. The third-place match will be played on 14 November before the final takes place at the Suez Canal Stadium on 15 November.
What Ampem Darkoa Must Do in Egypt
Ampem Darkoa have little time to celebrate because their opening match comes only days after the extra-time victory over Edo Queens.
Recovery and preparation will therefore be essential. The technical team must manage the players’ fitness, maintain their defensive organisation and continue making effective use of set pieces—the route through which Mohammed scored the qualification goal.
The Ghanaian champions must also be clinical in front of goal. Group-stage matches are often decided by narrow margins, and missed opportunities against experienced opponents such as AS FAR could prove costly.
However, Ampem Darkoa have already demonstrated the resilience needed for tournament football. They recovered from the disappointment of the original shootout, successfully pursued their appeal and remained focused when the contest finally resumed.
A Major Victory for Ghanaian Women’s Football
Ampem Darkoa’s qualification is about more than one result. It rewards the club’s determination both on and off the field and ensures Ghana retains a presence among Africa’s leading women’s teams.
The players had to wait almost two months for the qualifying final to be completed, but they handled the unusual circumstances with professionalism. Afishata Mohammed’s decisive header will now be remembered as the goal that sent the Ghanaian champions back to the continental stage.
With a demanding Group B campaign ahead, Ampem Darkoa must reproduce the discipline, bravery and team spirit shown against Edo Queens. Their immediate objective will be to reach the semi-finals and improve on their fourth-place finish from 2023.
For Ghanaian football supporters, the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League offers another opportunity to rally behind Ampem Darkoa as they pursue continental success in Egypt.
