The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has annulled Edo Queens FC’s 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026 WAFU Zone B qualifying tournament, ordering the decisive match to resume from the beginning of extra time.

The decision was reached by CAF’s Organising Committee for Women’s Football following a formal protest submitted by the Ghana Football Association on behalf of Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC over the failure to play extra time after the final ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

The final, played on 5 September 2026 at the 4th of August Stadium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, initially proceeded directly to a penalty shootout after regulation time, with Edo Queens winning 4-1 and subsequently being declared the WAFU Zone B champions.

However, CAF established that the competition regulations required two periods of 15 minutes of extra time to be played before penalties could be taken. The Committee noted that the match officials had been reminded of the requirement before the match and that the procedure had also been communicated during the Match Coordination Meeting.

According to CAF, the failure to play extra time resulted from an erroneous administrative instruction given to the referee during the second half. The Committee therefore determined that the omission was not caused by either Edo Queens or Ampem Darkoa.

CAF held that the direct resort to penalties was inconsistent with Articles 13.1 and 72.4 of the CAF Women’s Champions League Regulations. Article 72.4 provides that where the final remains level after regular time, two periods of 15 minutes of extra time must be played before penalties can be used.

The Committee consequently declared the Ghana FA’s protest admissible and upheld it on its merits. It also annulled the penalty shootout and its 4-1 result in favour of Edo Queens, stating that the shootout “shall have no sporting effect.” 

Rather than ordering a complete replay, CAF ruled that the match must resume from the beginning of extra time, with the score remaining Edo Queens 2-2 Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

The continuation will consist of two 15-minute periods of extra time. If the teams remain level after extra time, the winner will be determined through a new penalty shootout in accordance with the Laws of the Game and CAF regulations. 

CAF further directed that, as far as practically and legally possible, the continuation should take place under the same sporting conditions that existed at the end of the 90 minutes. This includes the players who were on the field, eligible substitutes, disciplinary status, substitutions already made and the remaining substitution opportunities of both clubs.

The decision also provides for the same venue, subject to confirmation by WAFU B, and the same match officials. WAFU B has been tasked with determining and communicating the date, kick-off time and venue of the continuation in coordination with CAF and the two national football associations. 

WAFU B will also bear the organisational and financial costs directly arising from the continuation and must provide both clubs with the validated original match sheet, substitution record, confirmed eligible-player list and applicable disciplinary records before the match resumes.

The eventual winner will represent WAFU Zone B at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2026 final tournament.