Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha has criticized former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for his remarks about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), suggesting that Carragher lacks an appreciation for African football.
Speaking in an interview shared on X on Friday, Okocha expressed his views, saying, “There are some players that will say something, you just overlook it. If you look at their career, 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.”
Okocha’s comments followed a wave of backlash against Carragher, who had questioned the significance of AFCON during a Sky Sports discussion on Sunday, February 23, while talking about Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Carragher had suggested that Salah’s inability to win “major tournaments” like the AFCON could hurt his Ballon d’Or chances, despite the Egyptian star finishing as runner-up in the 2017 and 2021 tournaments. This remark was swiftly challenged by fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge, who reminded Carragher of the importance of AFCON.
Carragher’s comments sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing him of dismissing Africa’s premier football competition. One of the most vocal critics was former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel, who condemned Carragher’s stance on his Obi One Podcast.
Mikel called Carragher’s remarks “disrespectful” and pointed out that AFCON is as important as the European Championship, highlighting that he himself had won the competition in 2013 with Nigeria. Mikel also took a swipe at Carragher’s career, stating, “He sits there week in, week out, teaching and coaching people on how to win the Premier League, and he never won it!”
Mikel also emphasized the tournament’s importance in inspiring young African players, adding that the influence of AFCON leads to more African footballers joining European clubs, particularly in the Premier League. His words reflect the deep pride and respect many African players and fans have for the competition.
