Ampem Darkoa Ladies stand 90 minutes away from a return to African club football’s top table, but between Ghana’s champions and a coveted CAF Women’s Champions League ticket lies a familiar and dangerous obstacle: Nigeria’s Edo Queens.

The 2026 Ghana Women’s Premier League champions face Edo Queens in today’s WAFU Zone B CAF Women’s Champions League final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with qualification for the continental showpiece — and regional bragging rights — riding on one last battle.

It is also a rematch loaded with unfinished business. Ampem Darkoa defeated the Nigerian champions 2-1 during the Group B campaign, meaning Edo Queens arrive seeking revenge as much as qualification.

For Coach Charles Anokye-Frimpong’s side, however, the challenge is to prove that victory was no accident and complete a flawless campaign when it matters most.

The Ghana champions last Wednesday booked their place in the final with an emphatic 4-1 win against Dynamique of Benin in their semi-final clash, setting up a final with Nigeria’s champions, Edo Queens, in what will be a replay of their final Group B clash at this tournament.

In 2023, they reached the final, playing against Delta Queens, another Nigerian opposition, whom they beat 1-0 to secure the ticket to represent the WAFU Zone B at the main Champions League competition.

Now, on their third attempt at the zonal competition, they have an opportunity to reproduce the achievement of their 2023 debut campaign.

Road to the final

It has been a good campaign for the Nanamma so far, winning all the four matches played so far from the group stage to the semis -- winning all three group games, scoring 11 goals and conceding only twice beating Dynamique (4-1) in the semi-finals, Edo Queens (2-1), Asec Mimosas (1-0) and AS GNN of Niger (4-0) in the Group B campaign.

Beyond winning their matches, Ampem Darkoa have also been dominant, claiming the Player of the Match awards in the four games played so far, with goalkeeper Rose Baah, Rebecca Assemani, Nancy Amoh and Milot Pokua receiving the awards. 

Depending on the outcome of the final game, Ampem Darkoa’s goalkeeper could also be in the reckoning for the Best Keeper of the tournament, having picked only two goals from the back of her net. The other goalkeeper in contention is Edo Queens’ Charlotte Adjei, who coincidentally is a former player of Ampem Darkoa.

But for their 1-2 loss to Ampem Darkoa in their Group B clash, it has also been a near perfect run for the Nigeria champions, making their mark as one of the high scoring sides walloping AS GNN of Niger (7-0), Asec Mimosa (3-1) and then hosts, USFA of Burkina Faso (5-1) in their semi-finals clash.

Their star player, Chioma Moses, leads the scorers’ chart with four goals and is the only player to have registered a hat-trick at this competition. 

Rivalry

Any clash between Ghana and Nigeria always serves up hot exchanges and this will be no exception given the stakes. 

Not only will the Nigerians be out to avenge their first loss a few days ago, but whoever wins will also earn bragging rights and the privilege of playing on the biggest stage for club football on the continent. 

Head coach Anokye-Frimpong, playing only his first international tournament, understands the weight of expectation and believes they have the experience to overcome the Nigerians.

“We know we have a one-win advantage, but that won’t make us complacent. Our focus will not be on that win we secured from our first encounter at the group stage. 

“This is a more important match and we will go into that game with a different strategy. We both have an idea of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

“For us, our mission is to secure the slot for Africa and we will work hard to ensure that it is accomplished,” Coach Anokye-Frimpong said.

From his squad, he has a blend of quality and experience with the likes of Priscilla Okyere, Amoh and Pokua, who has made an impressive comeback after a long battle with injury during her time with Sekondi Hasaacas.

The decision by Ampem Darkoa to secure her services has paid off, and the former Under-20 striker will be out to make a bolder statement by helping the Ghana champions to victory.