Ghana outclass Nigeria in fiery C’wealth Games boxing tune-up

Ghana landed the bigger blows in a fiercely contested West African boxing rivalry last Thursday, edging Nigeria 4-3 in a high-octane bilateral international friendly in Accra that offered an explosive preview of the battle brewing ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Driven by dominant performances in the men’s division, the Black Bombers turned the Accra Sports Stadium into a statement stage as some of Ghana’s emerging boxing stars overwhelmed their Nigerian counterparts in a competition packed with intensity, grit and technical quality.

Nigeria, however, salvaged pride by asserting complete dominance in the women’s contests, winning both bouts to underscore their growing strength in women's boxing and prevent the overall scoreline from becoming more lopsided.

The night belonged largely to Ghana’s male fighters, who produced four victories from five bouts in what was the first international boxing friendly between the two countries since 1998.

Accra 2023 African Games gold medallist Amadu Mohammed set the tone with a devastating display in the 55kg bantamweight division, tearing apart Nigeria’s Michael Ogunremi in a ruthless 5-0 unanimous decision.

The 2024 SWAG Boxer of the Year winner combined speed, precision and aggression to completely neutralise his opponent in one of the evening’s most commanding performances.

There was no respite for Nigeria as Ebenezer Ankrah, fresh from his exploits at the 2025 IBA World Boxing Championships, produced another emphatic 5-0 victory over Sodiq Oduniyi in the 60kg lightweight division.

The Ghanaian controlled the tempo from the opening bell, using superior movement and sharp counter-punching to dictate the contest throughout.

Another standout moment came from Desmond Pappoe, the 2025 Africa Youth Championships gold medallist, who showcased maturity beyond his years in a dominant 4-1 triumph against Daniel Joshua in the 80kg light heavyweight category.

Pappoe’s composure and confidence reinforced the growing belief that Ghana’s next generation of fighters may already be ready for the continental stage.
Veteran boxer Abdul Wahid Omar then rolled back the years in a thrilling 65kg light welterweight contest, edging Abdul Rahman Abdulwahab via a gritty 3-2 split decision.

The two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallist (2014 and 2022) relied on experience, ring intelligence and resilience to survive one of the night’s closest battles.

Nigeria’s lone success in the men’s category came through Folly Hassan, who battled to a narrow 3-2 split decision win over Ghanaian debutant Khalid Abdul in the 70kg light middleweight division.

The contest perfectly reflected the intensity of preparations by the two boxing nations ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled for July 23 to August 2.

While Ghana celebrated superiority in the men’s category, the women’s division exposed a contrasting reality for the hosts.

Nigeria’s female fighters dominated both contests convincingly. Kadijat Ajisolaq outclassed Ghana’s Ramatu Quaye 5-0 in the 54kg bantamweight division, while Aishat Gbadamosi edged Nancy Bamfo 3-2 in a tightly fought 57kg featherweight clash.

For Ghana’s technical handlers, the mixed results provided valuable lessons rather than cause for alarm.

Black Bombers head coach Ofori Asare described the tournament as a crucial test that highlighted both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the rebuilding national team.

“Some of our boxers had the opportunity to fight equally good opponents and it exposed some of their shortcomings,” Coach Asare said after the event.

“We are going to use the time available to correct those mistakes, sharpen the boxers and make the necessary adjustments ahead of the Commonwealth Games.”

Beyond the ring, the competition also carried diplomatic and developmental significance, reviving a boxing rivalry between two of West Africa’s traditional sporting powers after nearly three decades without an international friendly.

Several high-profile sports administrators were present at ringside, including Ghana Olympic Committee President Richard Akpokavie, National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Ghana Boxing Federation President Dauda Fuseni and Nigeria Boxing Federation Vice-President Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, who led the Nigerian delegation to Accra.