Nigerian football legend, Jay-Jay Okocha has criticized former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher over his comments regarding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), accusing him of failing to appreciate African football.
In an interview circulating on X, Okocha dismissed Carragher’s opinion, saying, “There are some players who, when they speak, you just overlook them. If you look at their career and the kind of football they played, you’ll 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.”
Okocha’s remarks follow widespread backlash against Carragher, who, during a Sky Sports discussion on February 23, questioned whether AFCON should be considered a major tournament. The conversation involved former England internationals Micah Richards, Daniel Sturridge, and Roy Keane and focused on Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Carragher suggested that Salah’s failure to win “major tournaments” could hurt his chances of claiming the award, despite the Egyptian forward finishing as AFCON runner-up in 2017 and 2021. However, Richards and Sturridge quickly defended AFCON’s significance.
The comments sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing Carragher of disrespecting Africa’s premier football competition. Among the critics was former Super Eagles captain John Obi-Mikel, who condemned Carragher’s stance on his Obi One Podcast.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is as big as the Euros. I’ve played in it and won it. It’s not his f**ing place to discredit AFCON,”* Mikel said. “He sits there week in, week out, teaching and coaching people on how to win the Premier League, and he never won it!”
Mikel, who won the 2013 AFCON with Nigeria, stressed the tournament’s importance in inspiring young African footballers.
“Kids grow up watching their idols give everything to represent their country,” he added. “The influx of African players into the Premier League and Europe is because they grew up watching AFCON.”
The former Chelsea midfielder, one of Africa’s most decorated players, won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League (2012), and two Europa League trophies.
