Edo Queens suffered their first defeat in the 2026 WAFU-B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers after Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies came from behind to win 2–1 in Ouagadougou on Sunday. The result ended the Nigerian champions’ perfect start but did not stop their progress to the semi-finals, where they will face hosts USFA on September 3.
The two sides entered the final round with their places in the knockout stage already secured. The match instead determined their positions heading into the semi-finals, with Ampem Darkoa finishing ahead after taking all three points.
Edo Queens Take Early Lead Against Ampem Darkoa
Edo Queens started the game brightly and took the lead in the 11th minute through Doosuur Anastasia. The goal was her second of the tournament and gave the Nigerian champions the advantage after an impressive opening to their campaign.
Edo Queens had already scored 10 goals in their first two matches, beating AS Garde Nationale 7–0 before defeating ASEC Mimosas 3–1. Their attacking form had made them one of the standout teams in the competition.
They carried that confidence into the first half against Ampem Darkoa and went into the break in front.
But the Ghanaian champions responded quickly after the restart.
Ampem Darkoa Complete Comeback
Rebecca Assemani equalised just a minute into the second half, giving Ampem Darkoa renewed momentum. The Ghanaian side continued to push after restoring parity and eventually found the winner in the 78th minute.
Milot Pokuaa stepped up with a direct free-kick that put Ampem Darkoa ahead for the first time in the match. The Hasaacas Ladies loanee’s strike proved decisive as the Ghanaian champions protected their lead until the final whistle.
Edo Queens could not find another equaliser despite their efforts late in the game. The 2–1 result gave Ampem Darkoa a perfect three wins from three matches in the qualifying campaign.
WAFU-B Semi-Final Awaits Edo Queens
The defeat did not affect Edo Queens’ place in the semi-finals, which had already been secured after their opening two victories.
The Nigerian champions will now face Burkina Faso’s USFA, the hosts and Group A winners, in the semi-finals on September 3.
Ampem Darkoa, meanwhile, will face Group A runners-up Dynamique FC de Calavi of Benin in the other semi-final.
CAF’s official schedule lists both semi-finals for Thursday, September 3, with the final and third-place match set for September 6.
The winners of the WAFU-B qualifying tournament will earn the zone’s place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
For Edo Queens, the route to another continental appearance therefore remains open. One win against USFA would take them into the WAFU-B final and leave them one step away from another CAF Women’s Champions League campaign.
Edo Queens Still Chasing Another Continental Run
Edo Queens arrived in Burkina Faso as Nigeria’s champions after winning the NWFL Premiership and have quickly shown why they were among the teams expected to challenge for the WAFU-B title.
Their opening 7–0 victory over AS Garde Nationale was followed by a 3–1 win against ASEC Mimosas, giving them six points and a place in the knockout stage before the final group game.
The Nigerian side also has recent experience of the CAF Women’s Champions League. In 2024, Edo Queens reached the semi-finals of the continental competition and famously eliminated defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2–1 quarter-final victory.
That experience could prove useful as the team heads into another decisive knockout match. However, the loss to Ampem Darkoa also showed the areas Edo Queens will need to improve. After taking the lead, they were unable to prevent the Ghanaian champions from turning the match around, with the winning goal coming from a set-piece situation.
The Road To The WAFU-B Final
Edo Queens now have little time to dwell on the defeat. Their attention turns to USFA, who will have home support when the two sides meet in Ouagadougou. A victory would send Edo Queens into the WAFU-B final and keep their hopes of returning to the CAF Women’s Champions League firmly alive.
Ampem Darkoa will approach their own semi-final with similar confidence after completing a perfect group-stage campaign. Their comeback against Edo Queens showed their ability to respond under pressure and could give the Ghanaian champions another boost going into the knockout rounds.
For Edo Queens, however, Sunday’s defeat is only a setback, not the end of the campaign. The Nigerian champions still have a chance to win the WAFU-B title and secure another place on Africa’s biggest stage for women’s club football. The first task is clear: beat USFA and earn a place in the final.
