Online Reporter
NIGERIAN football legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, has criticised former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher over his remarks regarding the Africa Cup of Nations, suggesting that the Englishman does not appreciate African football.
Okocha, speaking in an interview circulating X yesterday, said, “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 follow a wave of backlash against Carragher, who had questioned the significance of AFCON as a major tournament last Sunday.
The remarks sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing Carragher of disregarding Africa’s premier football competition.
Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, strongly condemned Carragher’s stance on his Obi One Podcast.
Mikel Obi described Carragher’s words as “disrespectful”, adding, “The Africa Cup of Nations is as big [as the Euros]. I’ve played in it and won it. He sits there week in, week out, teaching and coaching people on how to win the Premier League, and he never won it!”
The former Chelsea midfielder, who won the 2013 AFCON title with Nigeria, emphasised the tournament’s significance in inspiring young African footballers.
“Children, kids grow up watching their idols put in everything in supporting their country,” Mikel said. “The future generation influx of African players coming into the Premier League, coming to Europe to play, it’s all because they grew up watching the African Cup of Nations.” – punchng.com/Sports Reporter.
