Sports
Ghana Boxing Authority Facilitates Repatriation of Late Nigerian Boxer Gabriel Olanrewaju’s Body
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has confirmed the successful repatriation of the body of the late Nigerian boxing champion, Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, back to Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the GBA Communication Directorate announced that the boxer’s remains were airlifted from Accra and were en route to Lagos, with a scheduled stopover in Lomé. This marks the conclusion of several months of efforts following Olanrewaju’s tragic death in the Ghanaian capital earlier this year.
The GBA extended heartfelt thanks to the Ghanaian public, media, and boxing community for their unwavering support during this difficult period. The Authority also promised to keep the public updated on the body’s arrival in Nigeria and the subsequent funeral arrangements.
Gabriel Olanrewaju, a former Nigerian national champion, passed away on March 29, 2025, after a professional fight at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra. His death shocked the boxing world and prompted the establishment of a special committee to investigate the circumstances.
The GBA secured all necessary approvals for repatriation, including critical health ministry reports. GBA President Abraham Kotei Neequaye played a key role in managing logistics and settling associated costs, including a $1,000 cargo flight fee and GH¢5,000 in customs charges.
The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), alongside the boxer’s family, requested that the repatriation take place on June 17 to allow proper funeral preparations.
To ensure compliance with diplomatic protocols, the GBA submitted all documentation to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A committee led by Major (Rtd) Amarkai Amarteifio investigated the incident. The panel included former GBA President Peter Zwennes, sports journalist Ekow Asmah, legal experts Samuel Bartels and Juliana Addo-Yobo, referee Eddie Pappoe, and sports medicine expert Dr. Martin Engmann. Their report was presented to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the committee’s recommendations. He described the tragedy as a stark reminder of the need for reform, emphasizing that the findings provide transparency and lessons for all sports federations. “Life is precious, and this incident serves as a wake-up call,” he stated.
Major Amarteifio highlighted the challenges facing Ghanaian boxing and called for urgent reforms to protect athletes. He noted the report offers a critical opportunity to address ongoing issues within the sport.
Asante Kotoko head coach, Abdul Karim Zito, says his side is fully prepared to take on Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Porcupine Warriors will host Wydad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, for the first leg of their second preliminary round tie. The return fixture will take place a week later in Morocco.
The overall winner will progress to the group stage — a milestone Zito describes as the team’s minimum target this season.
“We are definitely ready. We’ll put finishing touches to our preparations tomorrow,” Zito told Joy Sports.
“We’ve studied Wydad’s game carefully and implemented what I want the players to do on Sunday. Everyone is focused and ready.”
Kotoko enter this clash in high spirits after eliminating Kwara United of Nigeria in the previous round, winning 4–3 in Ghana and 1–0 away in Abeokuta.
Zito believes that a win in Accra will set the tone for qualification.
“If we beat Wydad here, it means I have another game to plan for in Morocco,” he said.
“The goal is to avoid conceding there, just like we did against Kwara. Our main target is to reach the group stage — that’s what we’re working for.”
The coach emphasized the importance of winning the home leg, using a passionate message to motivate his players.
> “It’s very important to win in Accra,” he said. “I told them, ‘You will not see Africa until you are in Africa.’ I reminded them how Dreams FC made it to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals and now all those players have moved on. This is their moment to showcase their talent and make people believe in them.”
Asante Kotoko will be counting on the home crowd’s support when the game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. GMT.
President John Dramani Mahama has called on the Black Stars to aim higher and make history after securing their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana sealed qualification with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium, thanks to a close-range finish from Mohammed Kudus.
Reflecting on Ghana’s football journey, President Mahama recalled the unforgettable heartbreak of 2010, when Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty against Uruguay cost the nation a chance at the semi-finals.
He also drew inspiration from Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup run, which saw them become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals — urging the Black Stars to dream even bigger this time.
“We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud,” President Mahama said in an interview with Sporty FM.
The President also appealed for unity and unconditional support for the team.
“We must all rally behind the Black Stars,” he said. “Let’s leave politics and ethnicity aside and give them our full backing.”
The Black Stars will learn their group-stage opponents when the 2026 World Cup draw takes place on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has turned down Asante Kotoko’s request to use the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup fixture against Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club.
The Kumasi-based club had hoped to host the second preliminary round match at their traditional home ground, citing recent upgrades made to the facility. However, CAF has deemed the stadium unfit to stage the high-profile encounter, insisting it does not meet the required standards.
In a statement issued by the club, management expressed regret over the decision, confirming that the first-leg tie will now take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with kick-off set for 3:00 p.m.
“Asante Kotoko regrets to inform its supporters that CAF has declined the approval of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to host our CAF Confederation Cup clash against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco,” the statement read.
The Porcupine Warriors advanced to this stage of the competition after eliminating Nigeria’s Kwara United with a 5–3 aggregate victory in the first round.
Before turning their attention to the continental challenge, Kotoko will face city rivals Nations FC in a Ghana Premier League encounter on October 11.
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