Ampem Darkoa face hardship scandals in Burkina Faso ahead of Edo Queens clash
Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC, one of the opponents of Nigerian champions Edo Queens in the ongoing WAFU-B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Burkina Faso, have strongly dismissed reports alleging that the team is experiencing financial hardship and that players and officials are spending as much as GH¢1,000 each during the competition.
Ampem Darkoa issued a disclaimer on Friday, August 28, describing the reports as “completely false” and urging the public to disregard the information. The Ghanaian side is in Group B alongside Edo Queens, Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas and Niger’s AS Garde Nationale.
The statement comes as Ampem Darkoa have already secured their place in the semi-finals after winning their opening two group matches. They followed up their opening victory over ASEC Mimosas with a convincing 4-0 win over AS Garde Nationale, maintaining a perfect record alongside Edo Queens, who have also won both of their matches.
Ampem Darkoa: Reports Are False
In the disclaimer signed by the club’s Communication Department, Ampem Darkoa rejected claims that the team was suffering in Burkina Faso or being forced to spend GH¢1,000 per player and official.
“Club Ampem Darkoa Ladies, hereby confirm and declare that the circulating news about the team’s suffering and spending of 1,000Gh per each player and officials in Burkina Faso are completely false and should be treated as such,” the club stated.
The Ghanaian champions further explained that WAFU Zone B had specifically made arrangements to cater for 21 players and seven officials per participating team, while any additional personnel or expenses outside that provision would be the responsibility of the respective club.
Club Acknowledges Support From Ghana
Ampem Darkoa also acknowledged the assistance it has received from several stakeholders in Ghana in preparing for and participating in the continental qualifiers.
According to the club, the Ghana Football Association, Sports Ministry, Bono East Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for Techiman South, among others, contributed to the team’s preparations and participation in the tournament.
The clarification appears aimed at countering narratives suggesting that the Ghanaian champions were left to shoulder the financial burden of their participation in Burkina Faso.
Media Officer Named as Official Contact
The club also urged members of the public and the media to rely only on information coming through its designated media representative while the team remains in Burkina Faso.
Ampem Darkoa identified Zakaria Luqman, popularly known as Gerry Gee, as the club’s Media Officer accompanying the team and advised that all interview requests should be channelled through him.
The club provided +233241778748 as his contact number and urged the public to disregard information attributed to other sources.
Edo Queens, Ampem Darkoa Set for Top-of-the-Group Battle
The clarification comes ahead of a highly anticipated clash between the two unbeaten teams in Group B, with Edo Queens set to face Ampem Darkoa on Sunday, August 30.
Both sides have already booked their places in the semi-finals after winning their opening two games, but their final group match will determine who finishes top of the section and potentially influence the route to the final.
Edo Queens opened their campaign with a ruthless 7-0 demolition of AS Garde Nationale before defeating ASEC Mimosas 3-1, while Ampem Darkoa have also maintained a 100 percent record.
The Nigerian champions, who are seeking a return to the CAF Women’s Champions League after winning the WAFU-B title on their debut in 2024, will therefore face a familiar West African heavyweight in Ampem Darkoa, the 2023 WAFU-B champions.
With both sides already through, Sunday’s encounter promises to be more than a routine final group fixture as Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa battle for Group B supremacy and momentum heading into the semi-finals.
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