Tchere says Ampem Darkoa-Edo Queens final shows WAFU growth

Ampem Darkoa Ladies beat FC Dynamique 4-1, while Edo Queens defeated hosts USFA 5-1 to reach the WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League qualifiers final in Ouagadougou. The results have set up a meeting between the Ghanaian and Nigerian champions for the tournament title and a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

WAFU Zone B Executive Director Philippe Tchere believes the final will reflect the improving standard of women’s football across the region. He expects the contest to draw attention beyond West Africa because both teams have produced strong performances throughout the qualifying tournament.

The finalists have already met in Group B, where Ampem Darkoa secured a 2-1 victory. That result gives the Ghanaian side a narrow psychological advantage, although Edo Queens now have the chance to respond in the match that carries the tournament’s main prize.

Tchere has praised the two teams for their ability to keep possession, defend effectively and score regularly. He also credited their coaches for guiding them to the final after the emphatic semi-final wins.

The decisive fixture will determine the WAFU Zone B champion and identify the team that advances to the CAF Women’s Champions League. Ampem Darkoa can complete their campaign by defeating Edo Queens for a second time, while the Nigerian champions will seek to overturn the earlier group-stage result.

For Tchere, the importance of the match extends beyond the trophy and qualification place. He expects the final to demonstrate the growing competitiveness of women’s football in the zone, with the quality displayed by both teams offering a strong measure of that progress.