▪️Ghana are now walking tall after a hard-fought 4-3 bouts victory in this closely contested West African Supremacy Derby with the Nigerian youngsters, making their international debut, putting up a remarkable performance in the Commonwealth Games build-up match
▪️Nigeria’s national coach Anthony Konyegwachie recalls they’ve beaten Ghana twice in 2011 and 2018, and that the 4-3 result in Accra was Ghana’s first win over Nigeria
May 8, 2026
Ghana secured bragging rights in the “Battle of Supremacy” against Nigeria, winning 4-3 bouts in this closely fought Glasgow Commonwealth Games build-up encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Despite the deep rivalry between the two West African boxing giants, Ghana’s celebrated Sports Journalist, Prince Dornu-Leiku, told boxersworld.co.ke the attendance was surprisingly low owing to poor marketing of the event by the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF).
“The attendance was low, about 200 fans or less were at the Accra Sports Stadium, the federation also ignored media’s input,” said Dornu, a prominent and highly regarded boxing reporter, writer, and a reputed media figure who frequently covers boxing events, provides analysis, and works with organizations like ACE Power Promotions.
Boxingwise, Dornu was impressed with the seven-bout card.
“It was a good competition, highly competitive fights, the Nigeria team looks well conditioned and ready to make a mark at the Commonwealth Games. Their women showed immense class and easily dispatched the Ghanaians,” said Dornu.
The West Africa boxing supremacy friendly was billed as a key rivalry match, aiming to fuel pride between the two boxing giants but it lacked the expected fireworks and thunderous applause for an event of this magnitude.
Ghana’s win adds another chapter to the fierce, decades-long rivalry between the two nations, providing temporary bragging rights to Ghanaian boxers, officials and supporters.
There’s need to introduce an annual two-leg contest between Ghana and Nigeria, the two top boxing nations in West Africa.
Big up to the Nigerian youngsters who were making their international debut. They put up a remarkable performance, and had African Games champion, Blessing Oraekwe, fought it would have been 4-4 bouts draw. Oraekwe’s opponent, Elizabeth Nartey, withdrew at the last minute after landing a military job.
All the two Nigerian female boxers, bantamweight Kadijat Ajisola and featherweight Aishat Gbadamosi, won their bouts with Ajisola defeating Ramatu Quaye 5-0 while Gbadamosi was full stretched by Ghana’s Nancy Bamfo but squeezed 3-2 points victory.
In men’s bouts, Ghana’s twice Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Abdul Wahid was forced to use all the tricks in the book to beat newcomer Abdul Rahman Wahab 3-2. Ghana’s African Games bantamweight champion Amadu Mohammed was on top of his game enroute to an emphatic 5-0 points victory over Michael Ogunremi.
After the West African boxing derby, coaches return to the drawing board to polish the areas that need improvement.
The Nigerian federation will have to engage national boxing coach Anthony Konyegwachie and bring on board imore experienced boxers in the team.
While it’s okay to give youngsters a chance, let them know the Commonwealth Games are not an experiment laboratory. If they want medals they must include experienced boxers blended with some newcomers. Right now it appears Konyegwachie – the only coach in Nigeria who receives a monthly salary – has no portfolio. As a government employee he should be fully utilised to share his wealth of experience and expertise having himself been an international boxer of repute, winning a bronze medal at the 1987 World U19 Championships in the flyweight division in Havana, Cuba. His most significant achievement is guiding the national team to historic victory in the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana, where the Nigerians won eight gold and two silver medals, humiliating the Ghanaians at their backyard.
But with the 4-3 win on May 7, Ghana have somewhat restored their battered image and can now enjoy the victory while it lasts as the Nigerians lick their wounds quietly in Lagos.
Konyegwachie has meanwhile put the record straight on the West African supremacy derby by stating that they have in the past beaten Ghana twice. Tell us more top coach.
“I remember before the 2011 African Games we met Ghana in Benin city Edo s
State in the preparations for Maputo African Games. We hammered Ghana 9-1 bouts. We fought Ghana again in 2018 Friendship Challenge in Lagos during our preparations for Gold Coast Commonwealth Game, we won 7-2 bouts. Ghana’s 4-3 triumph in Accra was their first one against Nigeria but if we were at our full strength they wouldn’t have defeated us, we are superior than Ghana in boxing.”
Ghana’s head coach Ofori Asare has shared his views here after the closely contested Commonwealth Games build-up match:
Assessment
Positive outcome. Ghana won the tournament, the result is a step in the right direction in our preparations but not the final goal.
General observation
Ghana and Nigeria showed competitive spirit. Good practice for both sides.
Neither team is currently at the top of the Commonwealth Games standard, but the tournament provided valuable ring time.
The event gave coaches and staff a live opportunity to observe boxers under pressure and identify technical, tactical, and mental gaps.
Key takeaways and strengths to build on
Ghana’s ability to secure key wins in close bouts shows developing composure and fight IQ.
The tournament culture itself is beneficial and should be maintained.
Areas for improvement
Individual technical and tactical mistakes were evident across several bouts.
Conditioning and game management in later rounds need work for multiple boxers.
Nigeria served as sparring/brother nation partners, not the primary target.
Recommendations / Next steps
Individual analysis
Break down each boxer’s performance — what they did well, where they broke down under pressure.
Targeted training plans
Use fight footage and notes to design drills addressing identified shortcomings.
Long-term focus
– Primary target = Commonwealth Games.
– Goal = medal performance for Ghana.
– Use bilateral tournaments like this as preparation tools, not as the end goal.
Frequency: Continue running bilateral/practice tournaments before major competitions to sharpen the squad and expose weaknesses early.
Closing note
We’re happy with the tournament win, but we’re not satisfied. The real target is the Commonwealth Games. Now we go back, fix the gaps, and raise the standard so Ghana goes to Glasgow ready to win medals for our country.
Asare’s daughter, Sarah Lotus, who is a board member of Ghana Boxing Federation was satisfied with the spirited performance of the boxers.
“All the boxers performed well, I was especially impressed by the ladies as an advocate for female boxing. Initiatives like this will go a long way to help develop the sport in both countries,” said Sarah.
Ghana’s team of 21 boxers – 16 men and five women – returned to their training camp in Wineba central region after the Accra show.
Full results. Ghana boxers first
GHANA…4 NIGERIA…3
Women
1. Bantamweight -54Kg
RAMATU QUAYE 0-5 KADIJAT AJISOLA
2. Featherweight-57kg
NANCY BAMFO 2 -3 AISHAT GBADAMOSI
Men
3. Bantamweight-55kg
AMADU MOHAMMED 5 —0 MICHAEL OGUNREMI
4. Lightweight-60Kg
EBENEZER ANKRAH 5 —0 SODIQ ODUNIYI
5. Light Welterweight-65kg
ABDUL WAHID OMAR 3-2 ABDUL RAHMAN ABDUL WAHAB
6. Light Middleweight-70kg
KHALID ABDUL 2 -3 FOLLY HASSAN
7 Light Heavyweight-80kg
DESMOND PAPPOE 4-1 DANIEL JOSHUA
Results compiled by: GBF MEDIA
