Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa beat Delta Queens to CAF women’s CL ticket

Delta Queens, Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) champions, have failed to qualify for the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League.

The Asaba-based club lost 1-0 to Ghana‘s Ampem Darkoa in the final of the West African Football Union (WAFU) B zonal qualifiers at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo, on Thursday.

The Delta Queens secured a place in the qualifiers’ final round after defeating Athletico FC of Ivory Coast 3-2 in the semi-final on Monday.

The 2023 NWFL champions showed chinks of vulnerability in the game, which was decided deep in extra-time.

The Ghanaians fully exploited the Queens’ limitations in the final game.

🏴FULL TIME! in Benin City📍

Delta Queens 🇳🇬 0-1 Ampem Darkoa 🇬🇭

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With this result, our Nigerian champions will not compete for the first time at this year's CAF Women's Champions League. #NWFL will be back stronger! #WAFUBQ| #DELAMP| #CAFWCL | #Nigeria2023 pic.twitter.com/YebCdHEunt

— NWFL (@TheNWFL) August 31, 2023

Ophelia Amponsah struck for Darkoa in the 43rd minute after the home side had failed to utilise a handful of chances.

The Ghanaians held on for a vital victory that earned them the ticket as the WAFU Zone B representative at the continent’s premier women’s club competition.

Delta Queen’s failure to qualify will be the first time Nigeria has been without a representative at the competition since its inception in 2021.

Rivers Angels featured in the maiden edition, while Bayelsa Queens qualified for the 2022 campaign.

The 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League will be held in Ivory Coast between November 5 and 19.