Edo Queens hold nerve to claim WAFU B crown against Ampem Darkoa

Edo Queens won the 2026 WAFU B Women’s Champions League after beating Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies 4-1 on penalties in a dramatic final.

The match finished 2-2 after regulation time, with Edo Queens twice recovering from behind before completing their comeback in the shootout.

Ampem Darkoa made the stronger start at the beginning of an action-packed final, taking the lead in the second minute through Beline Nyarko.

Edo Queens responded almost immediately. Doosuur Anastasia Atume restored parity just two minutes later, setting the tone for a contest in which neither side was able to establish control for long.

The teams continued to compete fiercely for an advantage, but it was Ampem Darkoa who regained the lead with 16 minutes remaining. Nyarko struck for the second time to put the Ghanaian side in front and leave Edo Queens facing defeat.

Kennedy Boboye’s team refused to surrender, however, and pressed forward in search of another equaliser.

Their pressure finally produced a reward deep into stoppage time when Oluebube Umejiaku found the net to make it 2-2 and force a penalty shootout.

Edo Queens kept their composure from 12 yards, scoring all four of their penalties. Ampem Darkoa converted only one of their three efforts, while two misses allowed the Nigerian side to secure a 4-1 shootout victory.

The success gave Edo Queens the WAFU B title and also secured their place in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

The Nigerian champions collected further recognition after their impressive campaign. Winger Oluwakemi Adegbuyi was named WAFU B Player of the Tournament, while Atume claimed the Golden Boot after finishing as the competition’s leading scorer.

Atume’s award followed her important contribution in the final, where she scored Edo Queens’ first equaliser after Nyarko’s early opener.

For Edo Queens, the victory completed a final in which they had twice been forced to respond to adversity. They recovered from both Ampem Darkoa goals in normal time before producing a perfect display with their four penalties.

The result also marked the end of an unbeaten final-day contest for the Nigerian champions, who held their nerve when the match moved beyond the 90 minutes and into the shootout.

Ampem Darkoa had appeared on course to claim the trophy after Nyarko’s second goal, but Umejiaku’s late intervention kept Edo Queens alive. The Nigerian side then took full advantage of their opportunity from the spot to finish the tournament as champions.