##Edo Queens Ruling Gives Nigeria Football a talking Point

On 5th September, the Edo Queens played against The Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa ladies in the final of the West African football Union (WAFU) Zone B qualifying tournament for the 2026 CAF women’s champion league.

The match started off strong and ended with a draw of 2-2 , according to the rules of the match a 15 minutes double period was supposed to be granted but the referee went straight for the penalty shootout where the Edo Queens emerged the winners with a total of 4-1.

On 7th September the Ghana Football Association (GFA) submitted a formal protest to CAF on behalf of The Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies, according to the GFA the officials failed to conduct the required 30 minutes of extra time after the match ended in a 2–2 draw at the end of regular time, apparently according to CAF Women’s Champions League regulations, a drawn final must proceed to two 15-minute periods of extra time before a penalty shootout can be conducted, they also explained that The Ampem Darkoa had prepared for the extra time, including having substitutions ready, but ware denied of that opportunity. So therefore, they implore CAF to review the match proceedings and grant appropriate relief, arguing that the winner had been determined through a procedure that did not comply with the established competition rules.

Due to the protest CAF reviewed the match and ruled that the direct use of penalties after regular time breach article 13.1 and 72.4 of the CAF women’s champions League regulations which states that if the final is drawn after regular time an extra time of 2 × 15 minutes shall be played, and so they decided that instead of having the match all over again the match will resume from the beginning of the extra time with the score standing at 2-2. The match is to take place at the same Stadium in Ouagadougou Burkina Faso.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) appealed the decision of CAF to annul Edo Queens victory over The Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa ladies, stating that it was not the fault of the players as they were only following the instructions of the referee and therefore they should not be punished for errors committed by the match officials and so they appeal that the ruling should be overturned and the Edo Queens be given their victory.

If CAF should overturn their ruling then it will be that the Edo Queens won the match and would qualify for the 2026 CAF women’s champion league.