The final of the UFOA-B women's qualifying tournament remains finely balanced after Edo Queens of Nigeria and Ghana's Ampem Darkoa Ladies went into half-time level at 1-1.
The match at the Stade du 4-Aout in Ouagadougou began later than scheduled because of severe weather conditions. Despite the difficult circumstances, both teams produced an energetic and closely contested opening 45 minutes.
Ampem Darkoa made the stronger start and took the lead in the second minute. Beline Nyarkoh finished the move to put the Ghanaian side ahead almost immediately after the game got under way.
Their advantage lasted only a matter of seconds, however. Edo Queens responded straight away, with Dooshima Tarnum restoring parity shortly after Nyarkoh's opener.
The rapid exchange set the tone for an entertaining first half, as both sides continued to compete intensely for control of the final. Neither team was able to establish a lasting advantage before the interval, leaving the contest perfectly poised for the second half.
Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa Ladies therefore return for the final period with the score tied at 1-1. The remaining 45 minutes will determine the winner of the UFOA-B zone and decide which team secures qualification for the CAF Women's Champions League.
The result means the final remains open after an unusually fast start. Ampem Darkoa's early breakthrough showed their ability to make an immediate impact, but Edo Queens' instant response prevented the Ghanaian champions from taking control of the occasion.
With the two teams unable to separate themselves before the break, the second half will determine whether either side can find the decisive goal or whether the match develops into an even tighter battle. Both have already found the net, but neither has yet been able to turn its attacking pressure into a winning position.
The delayed start, caused by the weather at the Stade du 4-Aout, did not prevent the finalists from producing a lively opening period. Instead, the first-half action quickly delivered two goals and an even contest, setting up a decisive conclusion in Ouagadougou.
The stakes remain clear: the team that finishes ahead will be crowned the winner of the UFOA-B women's qualifying tournament and will earn a place in the CAF Women's Champions League. For now, Edo Queens and Ampem Darkoa Ladies remain inseparable after a first half in which Nyarkoh and Tarnum cancelled each other out.