Nigerian football legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has strongly criticized former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for his comments downplaying the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Carragher recently caused controversy by suggesting that Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or were diminished due to his nationality and participation in AFCON, implying that the tournament is not of high importance. Speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City, Carragher remarked that Salah’s chances were hindered because Egypt does not compete in what he considered a “major tournament” or have a strong opportunity to win.

Okocha, in an interview that surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, dismissed Carragher’s footballing achievements and suggested that his perspective on African football lacked value. The former Super Eagles captain argued that some opinions are not worth acknowledging, especially from players with underwhelming careers. He further stated that he would not want his son to follow in Carragher’s footsteps and emphasized that the former defender would never truly appreciate African football or its talent.

Similarly, ex-Nigerian international John Obi Mikel also condemned Carragher’s remarks during his Obi One Podcast, calling them disrespectful. Mikel argued that AFCON is just as significant as the UEFA European Championship, noting that he had personally played in and won the tournament. He criticized Carragher’s authority to judge, pointing out that despite analyzing football weekly, Carragher himself never won the English Premier League. Mikel highlighted AFCON’s immense prestige, emphasizing that young African players grow up dreaming of competing in the tournament, inspired by their footballing heroes.