Edun charges Nigerian boxers ahead Ghana bout

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President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Wale Edun, has urged Nigeria’s boxing contingent to uphold national pride and deliver strong performances when they face Ghana in a friendly tournament scheduled for Thursday at the Accra Sports Stadium, The PUNCH reports.

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The former minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy delivered the charge during a visit to the national camp in Lagos, where he encouraged the boxers to remain disciplined in training and represent the country with pride as they prepare for the high-profile West African encounter.

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Emphasising the weight of national representation, he reminded the athletes of the significance of competing under the Nigerian flag, noting that even in a friendly setting, the historic rivalry with Ghana demands intensity and commitment.

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“Firstly, I want you all to be conscious of our national flag which you carry, you must do so with pride, the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana has no exception, despite being a friendly match you must fight for the pride of our nation,” Edun said as quoted by the NBF on Tuesday.

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The 17-man Nigerian delegation to Ghana, comprising boxers, coaches and officials, is scheduled to depart Lagos via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 7:00 am today, ahead of the bout in Accra.

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The friendly tournament forms part of both nations’ preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with organisers using the fixture to assess athlete readiness and competitive sharpness.

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Speaking on the importance of the encounter, the chairman of the NBF technical committee, Babatunde Laguda, described the fixture as a vital step in preparing the team for international competition, stressing that exposure to competitive environments would be more beneficial than training alone.

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“The Ghana friendly tournament is truly the way to go at a time like this,” Laguda said.

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“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.”

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Meanwhile, NBF vice-president Omonlei Imadu confirmed that the federation is in advanced discussions to arrange additional international friendlies with two other countries as part of preparations for the Games.

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“As part of our camping for the Glasgow Games, we are in the final stages of discussions with two other nations on friendly matches,” Imadu said.

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“Our aim is to ensure that our boxers get the best preparation before July when the Commonwealth Games begin.”

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The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.

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