Ghana’s national amateur boxing team, the Black Bombers, has left Accra for a three-week high-performance training camp in Ireland as part of its final preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The team departed 17 days before the Games, which run from July 23 to August 2 in Scotland. After the camp, the delegation will travel to Glasgow for the competition.
The camp is part of a plan by the Commonwealth Games Association of Ghana and the Ghana Boxing Federation to help the boxers adapt to European conditions while fine-tuning their skills through intensive training and sparring.
The trip follows a three-month residential camp at the Winneba Sports College, where the Black Bombers have trained since April. The squad combines experienced boxers with rising talent identified at February’s National Individual Championships.
Ghana Boxing Federation President Dauda Fuseni said the team has enjoyed one of its best preparations in recent years.
“This very edition, the boxers have prepared exceptionally well. Having them in camp for three full months has given the coaches the time to perfect their techniques. They tested their strength by outclassing Nigeria in May and are now leaving early to complete their preparations abroad. We have given them the most comprehensive build-up in recent memory, and we have every reason to be confident.”
The federation has set an ambitious target of three gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Second Vice President Solomon Otoo Lartey said the team is determined to make history.
“We want to achieve something that has never been done before, and this squad has the hunger to do it.”
Head coach Dr. Ofori Asare said the early departure is a key part of the team’s preparations.
“Going 17 days early isn’t a luxury, it’s a tactical necessity. We are fine-tuning reaction times, maintaining optimal weight classes and ensuring mental focus. We have studied the global landscape and will use the camp in Ireland to complete our preparations before arriving in Scotland.”
Assistant captain Amadu Mohammed said the team is confident.
“The energy in camp is different this time. Every one of us is aiming for the podium. We’ve put in the work over the last three months, and this final stretch is about perfecting our execution.”
The men’s squad comprises Abdul Wahid Omar, Amadu Mohammed, Desmond Pappoe, Ebenezer Ankrah, Precious Akai Nettey, Jibril Muntari and Daniel Plange, while the women’s team includes Ramatu Quaye, Nancy Banfo and Adelaide Djabatey.
The Black Bombers head to Glasgow as one of Team Ghana’s strongest medal prospects, hoping to add to the country’s rich boxing tradition at the Commonwealth Games.
