Ghana’s national boxing team secured a narrow 4–3 victory over Nigeria in a keenly contested friendly match held at the Accra Sports Stadium, as both countries continue preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026.
The bout, organized as part of an international preparation series, brought together elite boxers from both West African nations in a competitive environment designed to test readiness, sharpen techniques, and assess performance levels ahead of the global multi-sport event. The atmosphere in Accra was intense, with supporters witnessing a closely fought contest that swung back and forth across different weight categories.
Nigeria began the encounter on a strong note, particularly in the women’s division, where their athletes delivered early points for the visiting side. Kadijat Ajisola produced one of Nigeria’s standout performances of the evening, displaying composure and tactical discipline to outpoint Ghana’s Ramatu Quaye in the bantamweight category. Her controlled approach and accurate combinations earned her a clear decision from the judges.
Nigeria further extended their early momentum through Aishat Gbadamosi, who faced a stern challenge from Ghana’s Nancy Bamfo in the featherweight division. In a tightly contested bout, Gbadamosi managed to edge her opponent on points, giving Nigeria an encouraging start and raising hopes of an away victory.
However, Ghana responded strongly in the men’s categories, where they gradually shifted the balance of the contest in their favour. Amadu Mohammed set the tone for the comeback with a dominant performance against Nigeria’s Michael Ogunremi in the bantamweight division. Mohammed controlled the bout with sharp movement and effective counterpunching to secure a convincing win on points.
Ghana’s resurgence continued through Ebenezer Ankrah, who delivered another solid performance in the lightweight category. Facing Sodiq Oduniyi of Nigeria, Ankrah demonstrated superior ring control and endurance, earning a clear decision victory and leveling the overall momentum of the contest.
One of the most closely fought bouts of the evening came in the light welterweight division, where Ghana’s Abdul Wahid Omar narrowly defeated Nigeria’s Abdul Rahman Abdul Wahab. The contest was highly tactical, with both fighters exchanging strong combinations, but Omar did enough in the final rounds to convince the judges and secure a crucial win for the host nation.
Nigeria managed to stay in contention through Folly Hassan, who produced a spirited performance in the light middleweight category. Hassan overcame Ghana’s Khalid Abdul in a competitive bout, using effective aggression and timing to secure a well-earned victory that briefly reignited Nigeria’s chances of an overall win.
Despite Nigeria’s resistance, Ghana ultimately sealed the contest in the light heavyweight division, where Desmond Pappoe delivered a decisive performance against Daniel Joshua. Pappoe’s dominance in the ring ensured Ghana maintained their narrow advantage and confirmed a 4–3 aggregate victory over their regional rivals.
The friendly encounter served as an important assessment platform for both national teams as they intensify preparations for the Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Glasgow. Coaches from both sides used the opportunity to evaluate athlete fitness, tactical execution, and adaptability under competitive pressure.
Officials from the two boxing federations acknowledged the importance of the fixture, describing it as a valuable test ahead of a major international competition. Nigeria’s technical handlers noted that while the result was disappointing, the performance provided useful insights into areas requiring improvement before final squad adjustments and training intensification.
On the Ghanaian side, team officials expressed satisfaction with the overall outcome, highlighting the resilience shown by their boxers, particularly in the middle and heavyweight divisions where they turned the contest around. However, they also emphasized the need for continued discipline and preparation as the level of competition is expected to rise significantly at the Commonwealth Games.
The fixture further highlighted the long-standing boxing rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, two nations with strong traditions in the sport and a history of producing internationally competitive athletes. Encounters between both countries are often closely contested, reflecting their similar levels of talent and commitment to boxing development.
As the countdown to Glasgow 2026 continues, both nations are expected to intensify training camps, participate in additional international bouts, and finalize their team selections in the coming weeks. The objective for both sides remains clear, which is to improve performance, gain international experience, and compete strongly for medals at the Commonwealth Games.
