Edo Queens have been handed their first serious warning of the WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign.
The Nigerian champions surrendered an early lead and fell 2-1 to Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies in Ouagadougou, ending their perfect start to the tournament without ending their continental ambitions.
Instead, Edo Queens move into the semi-finals under greater pressure, with hosts USFA waiting in the knockout round.
Edo appeared ready to seize control of their final group match when Doosuur Anastasia struck after 11 minutes to put the Nigerian side ahead.
That advantage survived until half-time.
Then the match turned.
Ampem Darkoa equalised just one minute after the restart before completing the comeback with 12 minutes remaining. A dangerous Milot Abena Pokuaa free-kick created the decisive moment, ending in an own goal that handed the Ghanaian champions victory.
The defeat denied Edo Queens an unbeaten group-stage finish and allowed Ampem Darkoa to take top spot in the section.
Edo had already secured their semi-final place after winning their opening two matches, including a 7-0 demolition of AS Garde Nationale and a 3-1 victory over ASEC Mimosas.
Those results gave the Nigerian champions enough room to survive their first setback.
Now that margin for error disappears.
USFA enter the semi-final with momentum after completing the group stage unbeaten and without conceding a goal.
The Burkina Faso champions closed their group campaign with a 5-0 victory over ASKO de Kara, with Deborah Guira and Comfort Yeboah scoring twice each and captain Dielawalea Stephanie Sow also finding the net.
That sets up a sharper challenge for Edo Queens.
Their attacking threat has already been established. Ten goals across their opening two matches made them one of the competition’s most dangerous sides before Ampem Darkoa stopped their winning run.
But knockout football asks a different question.
Can Edo Queens recover from their first defeat and break down a host side that has yet to concede?
The Nigerian champions have already shown they can overwhelm opponents when they find rhythm. Against USFA, they may need something different: patience, control and the ability to respond when the tournament stops offering second chances.
Ampem Darkoa exposed the danger of losing momentum after taking the lead.
USFA will offer no reason to expect an easier night.
Edo Queens are still alive.
The warning has arrived. The knockout test comes next.
Cranse Sports
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