Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha has slammed former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher over his comments on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), suggesting that Carragher does not respect African football.
Speaking in an interview circulating on X, Okocha dismissed Carragher’s opinions, 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.”
His comments come amid backlash against Carragher, who questioned AFCON’s significance during a Sky Sports post-match discussion on February 23. The conversation, which featured Micah Richards, Daniel Sturridge, and Roy Keane, revolved around Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Carragher suggested that Salah’s lack of “major tournament” victories could hurt his chances, despite the Egyptian star finishing as an AFCON runner-up in 2017 and 2021.
Richards and Sturridge immediately challenged Carragher’s remarks, reminding him of AFCON’s importance. The comments sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Carragher of disrespecting Africa’s premier football competition.
Among those who reacted was former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel, who strongly condemned Carragher on his Obi One Podcast. Mikel described Carragher’s comments as “disrespectful” and said, “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 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 title with Nigeria, stressed the tournament’s significance in inspiring young African footballers. “Kids grow up watching their idols give everything for their country,” he said. “The future generation of African players coming to the Premier League and Europe to play is because they grew up watching the African Cup of Nations.”
The former Chelsea midfielder, a decorated player during his career, also won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League in 2012, and the UEFA Europa League twice.
