Ghanaian women’s league champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies have lodged a formal protest with WAFU Zone B and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the decision to send their Women’s Champions League qualifying final against Edo Queens straight to a penalty shootout.
The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, but instead of extra time being played, the tie went directly to penalties.
Ampem Darkoa say they were expecting the match to go into two 15-minute periods of extra time, based on regulations explained to participating teams before the tournament.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ghanaian club said the tournament regulations clearly stated that extra time would be played if a match in the final ended level after 90 minutes.
However, they claim the general coordinator for the final instructed the teams to proceed directly to a penalty shootout.
Ampem Darkoa say they had four substitutes ready to enter the game for extra time but were instead informed that penalties would decide the winner.
The club believes the decision was inconsistent with the written CAF Women’s Champions League regulations and has asked WAFU Zone B and CAF to review the circumstances surrounding the match.
They are seeking an order for the extra time to be played, or for the match to resume from the point at which the decision to proceed to penalties was made.
“At the Management Committee Meeting, the regulations of the WAFU Zone B tournament were explained to all participating teams,” Ampem Darkoa said in their protest.
The Ghanaian champions have also thanked the Ghana Football Association for its support as they await a decision from CAF and the WAFU Zone B secretariat.
The ruling could have significant implications for the qualification process if the governing bodies determine that the penalty shootout should not have taken place.
Ampem Darkoa are therefore waiting to learn whether the result of the shootout will stand or whether the tie will have to be replayed or continued with extra time.
