The group stage of the WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League qualification tournament has ended with Ampem Darkoa Ladies, USFA and Edo Queens emerging as leading contenders for the region’s coveted place in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

The seven-team tournament has delivered high-scoring matches, standout individual performances and increasingly competitive contests, reflecting the growing strength of women’s club football across West Africa.

Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies completed the group stage unbeaten, while Burkina Faso’s USFA finished without conceding a goal, underlining their defensive dominance. Nigeria’s Edo Queens also impressed despite suffering a defeat to the Ghanaian champions, as several clubs demonstrated that the competition is no longer dominated by a handful of established names.

Among the standout results were Edo Queens’ 7-0 demolition of AS Garde Nationale, USFA’s emphatic 5-0 victory over ASKO de KARA and Ampem Darkoa’s spirited 2-1 comeback win against Edo Queens.

WAFU Zone B Executive Director Phillippe Tchere said the quality of the tournament highlighted the progress being made across the region.

“What we have witnessed in this group stage is a clear indication that women’s football in WAFU Zone B is moving in the right direction,” he said.

“The teams have shown quality, competitiveness and character, and the performances we have seen give us great confidence about the future of the women’s game in our zone.”

The tournament has also provided a stage for emerging talent, with USFA’s Deborah Guira, Ampem Darkoa’s Nancy Amoh, Edo Queens’ Esther Moses and teenage forward Oluwakemi Adegbuyi among the players to attract attention with impressive displays.

Tchere believes nurturing such talent is just as significant as deciding which club reaches the continental competition.

“Competitions like this are not only about determining who qualifies,” he said.

“They are also about creating a platform for players to express themselves, gain international experience and attract attention. When you see young players performing with confidence against some of the best clubs in the zone, you know the investment in women’s football is beginning to bear fruit.”

The tournament now enters its decisive stage, with USFA set to face Edo Queens in one semi-final, while Ampem Darkoa Ladies take on FC Dynamique for a place in the final and a step closer to qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League.