As part of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the National Boxing teams of Ghana and Nigeria will square off against each other in an international friendly in Accra.
The bilateral tournament is planned to assess both countries boxers ahead of the Glasgow Games as they aim to win medals at the event.
The boxing friendly will be held on Thursday, May 7 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In line with Commonwealth Games requirements, the bouts will feature seven male pugilists across the official weight categories, whilst the female team will include three boxers in the 54kg, 57kg, and 71kg categories.
The Nigerians arrived in Accra on Tuesday ahead of the event two days later.
President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) Alhaji Dauda Fuseini and the Chairman of Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) Technical Committee Babatunde Laguda, have both praised the initiative as a more effective way to evaluate the boxers readiness for the Games.
"The Ghana friendly tournament is truly the way to go on a time as this, like you know, our boxers are currently camping in Lagos ahead of the Commonwealth Games and this international friendly will further expose them to a more competitive atmosphere". Laguda added.
NBF Vice President, Omonlei Imadu said the Federation will, in the coming days, confirm more friendly bouts with two other nations.
“As part of our camping for the Glasgow Games, we are in the final stages of discussions with two other countries for friendly bouts, our aim is to ensure the the best of preparation for our boxers before heading to the Games in July”. Imadu said.
Boxing remains the leading medal prospect for Ghana at major international competitions including the Commonwealth Games, with a total haul of 35 out of the country’s overall 62 since debuting in 1951.
At the last Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England, boxing won three medals out of the total haul of five through Abraham Mensah (Bantamweight-54Kg), Joseph Commey,(featherweight-67Kg) both silver and a bronze from Abdul Walib Omar, (lightweight-60Kg).
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from Thursday, July 23, Sunday, August 2, in Glasgow, Scotland.
