The jeer dismissing the Africa Cup of Nations as a minor tournament could have passed as comedy had it been mouthed by a certain Eric Marlon Bishop, the actor, musician and funny man commonly known as Jamie Foxx.
But the drivel was spewed by the other Jamie, the dim-witted, less talented former footballer-turned-pundit who answers to the Carragher surname.
Attempting to argue why livewire Liverpool marksman Mo Salah is at a disadvantage of winning the game’s most prestigious individual prize, the Ballon d’Or, Carragher delivered a stellar display epitomising someone ignorant of their ignorance.
“Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Ballon d’Or. If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the Afcon and was [Player of the Tournament], I don’t think he’d win the Ballon d’Or, because I don’t think the Afcon carries the weight of other tournaments.”
You don’t think... period.
Other tournaments like what? The Euro Championship which England (he represented 38 times in 11 years) has never won, and from which they were eliminated in the quarterfinal by Portugal in 2004 with him playing?
The 2006 World Cup when England were eliminated by Portugal in the quarterfinal and Carragher’s penalty was saved by Ricardo?
World-class African players
Salah and Sadio Mane are world-class African players who’ve contested the Afcon — which, in the controversial estimation of Carragher, is a nonstarter.
In 2022, Salah’s Egypt lost to Mane’s Senegal in an agonising penalty shootout. For these stars who played starring roles in net-tearing exploits to help Liverpool banish a 30-year English Premier League title drought — something Carragher failed to do in his 508 league games in a Reds shirt — Afcon glory matters as much as Euros do for Ronaldo.
Regrettably, Carragher’s comment is a view held by ignoramuses. They regard anything non-European as a minor irritation. Afcon is one of the half a dozen premier tournaments organised by the six confederations recognised by Fifa.
Most Europeans, including coaches and club presidents, despise Afcon because it plays in the middle of their leagues — a situation that means their star African players are away from club duty for two months at the most.
In calling out Carragher, Rio Ferdinand said in his YouTube channel: “That comment is representative of the majority of people out there. The majority would say that, and I don’t think that’s right. That’s an ignorant thought process. If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, they will tell you we have to win this. I understand what Jamie is saying, but I don’t agree with it.”
Most Europeans, including coaches and club presidents, despise Afcon because it plays in the middle of their leagues — a situation that means their star African players are away from club duty for two months at the most.
Some clubs have gone to the extent of convincing players to retire from international football to avoid national call-ups for Afcon, only to conveniently “unretire” when the World Cup comes along.
They want Afcon to be staged at the same time as other tournaments, with total disregard of a major factor like rainy weather.
Fabled golden ball award
Spitting cobra Carragher is allowed his argument, no matter how myopic, about the fabled golden ball award. He must have agreed with the choice of last edition’s winner Rodri, ahead of Brazilian Vinicius Jnr because Spain won the Euros and Brazil didn’t win Copa America.
“I find it unpleasant to judge players on the pitch, that’s why I don’t do any TV punditry work. I now see colleagues who couldn’t complete three dribbles condemn players on air.” Carragher is one of the protagonists of the point made by the Devine Pony Tail of Italian football.
Carra and his crowd must leave our Afcon out of their filthy mouths.
The final word on this belongs to Jay-Jay Okocha: “There are some players that would 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, you know. I mean you wouldn’t want your son to be like Carragher. He can never appreciate African football or the talent that comes from Africa. Do you want your son to be like Carragher?”
Drop the mic!
X - @bbkunplugged99
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