Super Eagles legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has hit back at former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher over his comments downplaying the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a major tournament.
Carragher faced backlash after implying that Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances were hindered by playing for Egypt, suggesting that AFCON is not a high-profile competition. Speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, Carragher 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 Dismisses Carragher’s Footballing Credibility
Okocha, speaking in an interview that circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, dismissed Carragher’s comments, questioning his footballing credentials.
“There are some players that will say something; you just overlook it. If you look at their careers, if you look at the type of football that they played, you can understand. I mean, you wouldn’t want your son to be like Carragher. So, he can never appreciate African football or the talents that come from Africa.”
Mikel Labels Carragher’s Remarks ‘Disrespectful’
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel also condemned Carragher’s stance on his Obi One Podcast, describing the comments as “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 place to discredit the AFCON. He sits there week in, week out, teaching and coaching people on how to win the Premier League, and he never won it!”
Mikel emphasized AFCON’s importance, stating that young African players dream of competing in the tournament, drawing inspiration from their footballing heroes.
Carragher’s comments have sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for greater respect for African football and its global impact.
