Ghana edge Nigeria in Commonwealth Games build-up

Ghana edged Nigeria four bouts to three in a bilateral boxing friendly at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, as both countries assessed their Commonwealth Games-bound squads ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Games in July.

Nigeria’s head coach, Anthony Konyegwachie, noted that Nigeria had beaten Ghana in previous meetings in 2011 and 2018, making the defeat a reminder of the work still to be done before the Games begin.

Nigeria’s women made a bright start, with Kadijat Ajisola dominating Ramatu Quaye in the bantamweight (54kg) contest, winning five bouts to nil, while Aishat Gbadamosi edged Nancy Bamfo three bouts to two in the featherweight (57kg) division.

Nigeria’s Blessing Orakwe was unable to box in her category after her opponent failed to show up.

The men’s division, however, belonged largely to the Ghanaians. Amadu Mohammed shut out Michael Ogunremi five bouts to nil at bantamweight (55kg), and Ebenezer Ankrah did the same to Sodiq Oduniyi in the lightweight (60kg) contest.

Abdul Wahid Omar then edged Abdul Rahman Abdul Wahab three bouts to two at light welterweight (65kg) to put Ghana firmly in control.

Nigeria pulled one back through Folly Hassan, who defeated Khalid Abdul three bouts to two at light middleweight (70kg), but Desmond Pappoe restored Ghana’s winning margin with a four-bout to one victory over Daniel Joshua at light heavyweight (80kg), sealing the contest.

The Nigeria Boxing Federation had arranged the friendly as part of an active preparation programme for Glasgow. NBF Vice-President Omonlei Imadu said the federation was in advanced discussions with two other nations over additional warm-up fixtures before the Games begin on July 23.