The renewed rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana took a diplomatic turn this week as Chief Adebayo Olawale Edun, President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) and former Nigerian Minister of Finance, held a high-level meeting with Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Director General of Ghana’s National Sports Authority (NSA).
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of a high-profile international friendly in Accra, focused on establishing mutual cooperation to develop and promote amateur boxing across the West African sub-region .
The discussions centered on structured collaboration between the two boxing-heavyweight nations. Key projects on the table include joint training camps, technical exchange programs for coaches and referees, and the organization of regular bilateral competitions. This partnership is strategically timed to ensure both nations are battle-ready for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled for July 23 to August 2 .
A High-Stakes Friendly
The meeting followed a thrilling international friendly at the Accra Sports Stadium Car Park, where the Black Bombers and Black Hitters of Ghana hosted their Nigerian counterparts. While Nigeria dominated the female category, Ghana claimed victory in most of the male bouts, showcasing the depth of talent in both countries .
Before the bouts, Edun—who also serves as the immediate past Minister of Finance for the Federal Republic of Nigeria—visited the Nigerian camp to charge the boxers. He urged the 17-man contingent to carry the national flag with pride, emphasizing that the fierce Nigeria-Ghana rivalry demands nothing less than total commitment, even in a friendly setting .
“You must be conscious of our national flag which you carry; you must do so with pride,” Edun stated, as quoted by the NBF .
A Shared Vision for Amateur Boxing
For Ghana’s side, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah reiterated the NSA’s commitment to reviving amateur boxing. Earlier this year, the NSA pledged to address financial challenges and logistical hurdles to ensure boxers receive adequate preparation for major international championships .
The meeting between Edun and Ankrah solidifies a move away from isolation in training camps. The NBF Technical Committee Chairman, Babatunde Laguda, noted that exposure to competitive environments like Accra is more beneficial to athletes than months of solo training .
With the NBF having unveiled a packed 2026 calendar—including the National Boxing League and the President’s Belt award night—this cooperation with Ghana marks a strategic effort by Nigeria to dominate the continent’s boxing space .
Officials from both federations have agreed to explore funding models and private sector support to sustain the initiative, with the immediate goal of winning multiple medals in Glasgow.
