Nigerian football icon Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has fired back at former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for belittling the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), calling out his footballing credentials in the process.
Carragher stirred controversy after suggesting Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances are hindered because he plays for Egypt, implying that AFCON isn’t a major tournament. Speaking on Sky Sports, he remarked:
“I think the problem is the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such or maybe got a great chance of winning.”
Okocha didn’t hold back in his response, dismissing Carragher’s opinion outright:
“Some players say things, and you just overlook them. If you look at their careers and the type of football they played, you understand. I mean, you wouldn’t want your son to be like Carragher. He can never appreciate African football or the talents that come from Africa.”
Backing Okocha’s stance, former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel also blasted Carragher on his Obi One Podcast, calling his remarks “disrespectful.”
“The Africa Cup of Nations is as big as the Euros. I’ve played in it and won it. It’s not in his f**ing place to discredit AFCON. He sits there every week teaching people how to win the Premier League, and he never won it!”*
Mikel emphasized AFCON’s significance, stressing that young African players dream of competing in the tournament, inspired by legends who came before them.
With criticism mounting, Carragher faces growing backlash for undermining the importance of one of the world’s most prestigious football tournaments.
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