NFF Appeals CAF Decision To Annul Edo Queens’ WAFU-B Final Victory
Retold by Oddsrama · 30 September 2026
Nigeria's football authorities are making a stand after CAF wiped Edo Queens off the record books. The NFF filed a formal appeal on Tuesday against the continental body's decision to annul the club's 2-2 draw and penalty victory over Ghana's Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the WAFU-B Women's Champions League qualifier on September 5. That shootout win in Ouagadougou had earned Edo Queens the zone's sole ticket to the 2026 CAF Women's Champions League—until CAF's organising committee for women's football ruled four days later that the match violated tournament rules.
The problem: the final was supposed to go to two 15-minute periods of extra time before penalties, according to Article 72.4 of the regulations. Instead, officials told Edo Queens they'd skip straight to the shootout after the 90 minutes ended level. Ghana protested, CAF agreed, and ordered Edo Queens to hand back the trophy and medals. The NFF's argument is sharp and fair—why punish a team for doing what the referee instructed? The federation points out that CAF's own investigation found neither club caused the mix-up; match officials were the ones who changed course mid-game. Edo Queens won a penalty shootout they didn't ask to take part in under those conditions. The NFF is saying the club shouldn't lose a sporting result for compliance with an official's mistake.
From a competitive and betting angle, this is worth watching closely. Whoever ultimately wins this tie gets West Africa's pathway to African club football's top competition. If CAF reverses the decision, Edo Queens retain their place. If it stands, a replay from the extra-time stage could shift the narrative entirely—fresh legs, different momentum, new odds on the outcome. The NFF has paid the appeal fee and is pushing hard. This isn't just about one trophy; it's about which team gets the continental opportunity they earned on the pitch.
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