CAF Approves Release of National Team Players for Disputed WAFU B Final
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly agreed to release players on national team duty to Edo Queens FC of Nigeria and Apém Dakoa FC of Ghana ahead of the rescheduled conclusion of the disputed CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU Zone B final, scheduled for October 29, 2026.
The controversy dates back to the original final, which ended 2–2 after regulation time. Following adverse weather conditions, the match was taken straight to a penalty shootout at the direction of WAFU B, without the scheduled 30 minutes of extra time. Edo Queens won the shootout 4–1 and were initially declared winners.
However, Apém Dakoa subsequently appealed to CAF, seeking the completion of the remaining extra time. CAF ruled that the final should resume with the outstanding 30 minutes played, citing sporting fairness and requiring the players who were on the pitch during the original match to be available for the resumption.
Edo Queens appealed the ruling, but their appeal was unsuccessful, with the original decision upheld. The major adjustment to the initial ruling was that CAF would appoint the match officials for the resumption.
The latest development, however, presents another scheduling challenge. Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, are competing at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and are scheduled to play their Round of 16 fixture on the same date, October 29.
With players involved in national team duty expected to be released for the continental club final, questions remain over how CAF will coordinate their availability and reconcile the competing commitments, particularly for the Nigerian players involved with the Flamingos.
As the football community awaits further clarification, attention will be on how CAF intends to implement the release of the players while ensuring that both the club competition and national team commitments are handled appropriately.
How CAF resolves this scheduling dilemma could prove crucial to the smooth conclusion of one of the most controversial finals in the competition’s history.
