2026 WAFU-B Women's Champions League: Edo Queens title dreams boosted by ASEC Mimosa's loss of forwards
Nigeria champions Edo Queens have received an early boost ahead of the 2026 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifying tournament in Burkina Faso after defending champions ASEC Mimosas lost their prolific attacking duo of Ami Diallo and Habibou Ouédraogo.
The Ivorian champions, who enjoyed a remarkable continental campaign last season before reaching the CAF Women’s Champions League final, will begin their title defence without two of the region’s most dangerous forwards.
Diallo has completed a move to Seattle Reign FC in the United States after scoring an impressive 31 goals for ASEC last season, while Ouédraogo has also departed after finishing as the Ivorian league’s leading scorer with a staggering 40 goals.
Together, the two forwards accounted for 71 goals last season, leaving ASEC with a huge attacking void to fill as they seek to retain their WAFU-B crown and return to the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The departures could significantly alter the dynamics of Group B, where ASEC Mimosas have been drawn alongside Nigeria champions Edo Queens, Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa and AS GNN of Niger.
For Edo Queens, the development presents an encouraging opportunity to strengthen their bid for the region’s sole qualification ticket.
The Nigerian champions, fresh from winning the NWFL Super Six, will be seeking to establish themselves as the dominant force in the WAFU-B zone. ASEC’s reduced firepower could provide Edo Queens with a crucial advantage in what is expected to be a fiercely contested group.
ASEC’s attacking strength was central to their extraordinary run last season, and replacing the combined output of Diallo and Ouédraogo will be one of the biggest challenges facing the Ivorian side.
However, Edo Queens cannot afford to underestimate the defending champions. ASEC remain a formidable outfit with continental experience and will be determined to prove that their success was not dependent solely on the departed forwards.
Their ability to rebuild their attack and find reliable replacements for 71 goals could ultimately define their campaign.
With Edo Queens, ASEC Mimosas, Ampem Darkoa and AS GNN locked together in Group B, the battle for supremacy promises to be one of the major storylines of the tournament.
For Edo Queens, however, ASEC’s loss of two prolific goal scorers has already created what could prove to be a significant opening in their quest to conquer WAFU-B and secure Nigeria’s return to the CAF Women’s Champions League.
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