Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha has hit back at Jamie Carragher’s recent comments about the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Carragher’s recent comments, made during a discussion about Mohamed Salah and the Ballon d’Or, ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Mohamed Salah’s brilliance this season has taken a new dimension so much so that there is a genuine conversation about him being the Ballon d’Or winner.
The conversation took a contentious turn when Jamie Carragher made a disparaging comment about the Africa Cup of Nations, sparking widespread outrage.
On Sunday, the former defender stated that Salah’s inability to win a “major tournament” – in his view, the Euros, Copa America, or the World Cup – placed the Egyptian forward at a disadvantage when it came to Ballon d’Or voting.
Carragher’s cavalier dismissal of AFCON, a tournament that holds a special place in the hearts of African nations, sparked outrage among many, especially former African players who have proudly represented their countries on the continental stage.
Okocha, who lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy with Nigeria in 1994, unleashed his fury in a candid interview, holding nothing back in his scathing response.
“There are some players, when they say something, you overlook it. You look at their career and look at the type of football they played, then you can understand. You won’t want your son to grow up and be [play] like [Jamie] Carragher. He can never appreciate African football or the talent that comes from Africa.”
Although no African player has claimed the Ballon d’Or since George Weah’s triumph in 1995, talented players like Sadio Mane have narrowly missed out, finishing as runner-up in the 2022 edition.
The discussion surrounding AFCON’s stature in the football world persists, yet Okocha’s fervent defence of the tournament highlights its significance and the necessity for increased recognition and respect.
Mohamed Salah’s stellar season has seen him score 25 goals and provide 16 assists in the Premier League, catapulting him into the top six of the all-time Premier League goal scorers’ chart.
With a tally of 182 goals, he is on the cusp of breaking into the top five, just two goals shy of Sergio Aguero’s fifth-place record. Salah’s impressive contribution of seven goals helped Liverpool claim top spot in the Champions League group stage. His combined total of 51 goal involvements is the highest among all players in Europe’s top five leagues, making him a strong frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or.
Winning the prestigious award would be a historic moment for African football, cementing Salah’s status as a trailblazer.
The post Jay Jay Okocha rips on Jamie Carragher first appeared on 3News.
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