For the third time in a row and teams from Nigeria and Ghana will trade tackles in the final of the West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) Women’s Champions League at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City, Edo state capital on Thursday.
Nigeria champions Delta Queens and Ghana queens Ampem Darkoa will face off in the final match to determine the champions from the zone and second representatives from the region at the third edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The two teams are unbeaten after three games, winning all games so thus far. Goals from Alaba Olabiyi, Chinaza Agoh, and Mercy Omokwo lifted Delta Queens to a 3-0 win over Burkian Faso champions, USFA in the opening match of the tournament.
The second Group A game which sealed Tosan Blanksn’s side’s leadership position in the group witnessed a 2-0 win against Sam Nelly of Benin Republic as Temilope Owoeye and Ifeoma Itituzue sealed the win setting up a semi-final clash with Athletico FC of Ivory Coast.
The Asaba-based side conceded their first set of goals during a 3-2 win over Athletico with 2022/2023 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership top goal scorer, Omokwo scoring two goals.
Blankson’s side is taking their 19-match unbeaten run across the league and WAFU-B Women’s Champions League Qualifiers to the final against Ampem Darkoa.
The Nigerian champions topped Group A with 26 points at the end of the 2022/2023 regular season in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership before winning the league title by dethroning 2021/2022 winners, Bayelsa Queens with a 2-1 win in the Super Six finals in Asaba, Delta state capital.
A major player to the Nigerian success is Omowko who scored nine goals in 15 league games to help her side clinch the league title. She has also scored three goals at the 2023 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League Qualifiers.
The highest scoring side at the tournament, Ampem Darkoa began their campaign with a 4-2 win against Amis du Monde as Mary Amponsah announced herself with four goals.
She also scored all three goals as her team secured a 3-1 win over Athletico FC to seal a semi-final place against Sam Nelly FC of Benin.
In the semi-final, the Ghanaian champions thrashed Sam Nelly 6-1 with Tracey Twum scoring a hat-trick.
The Ghanaian side lost five out of 18 games in the Northern Zone and topped the log as far as the Ghana Women’s Premier League was concerned last season before defeating Southern Zne two leaders, Hasaacas Ladies FC in the final to win consecutive league championships in Ghana.
Key to the success story of Ampem Darkoa is Mary Amponsah, who has scored eight goals so far in the tournament.
One thing is sure at the end of the final, a new champion will emerge and the winner of the final will become the second Nigerian or Ghanaian side to win the title.
With bronze winners Athletico FC of Cote d’Ivoire already booking a ticket to the finals as hosts champions, the winner between the Nigerians and Ghanaians on Thursday will grab the second ticket.