Former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is under fire from African football greats following his demeaning of the African Cup of Nations.
Carragher while speaking on Sky Sports last weekend had given reasons why Liverpool star Mohammed Salah has never had the chance to win the Ballon d’Or. He said the Egyptian had never played in a big tournament.
“I think the problem is the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournaments as such or maybe got a great chance of winning. I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament [that wins the Ballon d’Or].”
Former Senegal striker El-Hadji Diouf, former Super Eagles captains John Obi Mikel and Austin Eguaveon who have played in Africa Cup Nations felt Carragher has disrespected the AFCON, by not listing it as a major tournament.
“Africans don’t need to prove anything to anyone. The AFCON is watched in more than 170 countries, with more than 1.4 billion viewers, and it is one of the largest football tournaments in the World,” said Diouf
“Africa gave birth to legends that shook world football. Eto’o, Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, Asamoah Gyan, George Weah, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and others. These ones wrote their names in gold, and you Carragher can’t even sit with them at the same table. Respect the AFCON and Africa. Carragher, it’s not even worth talking about!”
Eguaveon said Carragher’s comments were not thoughtful, and he needs to apologise.
“I played in three AFCON tournaments and have also coached in the competition, so it’s a source of immense pride for me. I’m proud of what it represents. The last tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, for example, was watched globally, and the quality of football was exceptional. Carragher’s comments were emotional rather than thoughtful. I’m sure he’ll reflect on them and eventually apologise.”
As for Mikel who won the AFCON in 2013, Carragher has never won any trophy, and his comment was disrespectful to African football.
“It’s so disrespectful what he said, and this is coming from someone who never won any major international competition with England,” he said.
“His statement was absolutely wrong. I hope he will come out and make a massive apology because he owes people around the world an apology. [It was] ignorant to disrespect such a wonderful tournament. If you think that the Premier League would be what it is today with just the English players you’re f*cking having a laugh mate.”
