Edo Queens seek revenge against Ampem Darkoa in WAFU-B Final
Nigeria Women’s Football League champions Edo Queens FC will renew their rivalry with Ghanaian giants Ampem Darkoa Ladies in Saturday’s CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Both sides secured emphatic victories in Wednesday’s semi-finals to set up a repeat of their Group B encounter and an all-important showdown for the regional title.
Edo Queens produced a commanding performance, thrashing hosts USFA of Burkina Faso 5-1, while unbeaten Ampem Darkoa Ladies defeated Benin Republic’s FC Dynamique 4-1 to book their place in the final.
The decisive clash is scheduled for Saturday at the August 4 Stadium in Ouagadougou and will be the second meeting between the two teams in this year’s competition.
Ampem Darkoa claimed a 2-1 victory over Edo Queens in their Group B meeting, handing the Nigerian champions their only defeat of the tournament so far. Edo Queens are now determined to avenge that setback and finish the campaign with the trophy.
Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, expressed confidence in the team ahead of the final, urging the players to give everything to secure victory.
“The girls are ready and good to go. It is a big task, no doubt, but we have the confidence that the cup is going back to Edo State in Nigeria,” Enabulele said.
“I also want to use this medium to thank the Executive Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his support so far. All we need from our fans across the country is prayers.
“Edo is ready. We are not scared of the Ghanaian team. The spirit in camp is high, and the players know that Nigerians expect them to deliver. By the special grace of God, the trophy is going to Nigeria.”
Edo Queens players Atume Doosuur, Esther Moses and captain Uroko Valentina have also promised Nigerians a strong performance as they target victory against their Ghanaian opponents.
The Nigerian champions have been the tournament’s leading scorers, finding the net 16 times so far. NWFL Premiership top scorer Atume Doosuur is also in contention for the competition’s Golden Boot and could strengthen her claim with another goal in Saturday’s final.
Captain Uroko Valentina said the team is determined to complete its mission.
“It is God and hard work that have brought us this far. We are ready, and I will be the happiest person in Edo Queens to win the WAFU-B trophy for the second time,” she said.
“We are ready for war against Ampem Darkoa Ladies of Ghana. It is a game of our lives.”
Edo Queens began their campaign with a 7-0 demolition of AS Garde Nationale of Niger Republic before defeating ASEC Mimosas 3-1. They subsequently suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Ampem Darkoa in their final group game before bouncing back in spectacular fashion with a 5-1 semi-final victory over USFA.
Saturday’s final carries even greater significance, as the winner will represent the West African zone at the CAF Women’s Champions League proper in South Africa later this year.
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