Football legends rail against Carragher for demeaning AFCON
Former Liberian and AC Milan striker George Opong Weah is the only man form the continent to have ever won the Ballon d’or
The debate around the value and strength of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the world football is now a long and windy discussion that sometimes ends up lost in controversy, emotions and mudslinging.
During a recent Sky Sports live show in the United Kingdom, former Liverpool FC defender Jamie Carragher sparked outrage by suggesting that the AFCON is of lesser stature as compared to the Euros or COPA America and thus star players like Mohamed Salah would find it difficult to win the Ballon D’or.
“I think the issue is that he plays for Egypt, and he’s not in a big tournament or has a strong shot at winning,” Carragher said, explaining why Salah does not rank higher. “Winning big awards often depends on success in the Champions League or major tournaments.
These remarks were not taken lightly with CAF (Confederation of African Football) leading the charge in defending the tournament running a series of tournament highlights.
Ex-African legends from Egypt to Ghana to Senegal to Algeria also took a swipe at Carragher with most labeling him “ignorant and elitist”. The former Liverpool man raised eyebrows in the studio amongst his co-panelists Roy Keane, Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards when he stated that the event is not a ‘big tournament’ and faces many challenges.
Even former pros and pundits like Thierry Henry and Rio Ferdinand came to the defence of the AFCON tournament which is a darling of many citizens on the continent.
Former Arsenal and England attacker Ian Wright also previously voiced his support for the tournament. Even with Carragher coming out to clarify his remarks later on his X account, he had few sympathisers with the damage already done.
Former Egypt national team player Ahmed Elmohamady was curt on his assessment of the situation while mocking Carragher. ‘‘AFCON is a Major Tournament. So proud to have won it twice’’, Elmohamady said.
He chided the Ex-Liverpool man, saying he not understand what counts as a major tournament since he has never won one himself. Elmohamady triumphed in the continental event in 2008 and 2010, while Salah was not part of those wins. Salah faced defeat in the finals in 2017 and 2021.
El Hadji Diouf, a former Senegalese legend, on his part stated; “Africans do not 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. Africa gave birth to legends that shook world football. Eto’o, Drogba, 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!”
AFCON has its challenges with limitations to financing and organisation which seems to make it a bane of easy attacks. The tournament is held every two years and has typically been staged during European winter time. No African nation has ever won the World Cup, and only one – Morocco at Qatar 2022 – has reached the semi-finals.
Former Liberian and AC Milan striker George Opong Weah is the only man form the continent to have ever won the Ballon d’or. Later on, Weah also ended up being President of Liberia.
