Exclusive: Former AFCON Winner Responds to Jamie Carragher’s Controversial Comments Regarding Football in Africa

Former Nigeria senior men’s national team captain and coach, Augustine ‘Austin’ Eguavoen, has criticised former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for downplaying the significance of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Carragher’s Controversial Remark

Carragher made his statement while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year.

Speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City, he suggested that Salah’s nationality and Egypt’s international record could hinder his chances of claiming football’s most prestigious individual award.

Eguavoen Defends AFCON’s Prestige

Eguavoen, a veteran of the tournament as both player and coach, strongly disagreed with Carragher’s comments.

"The Africa Cup of Nations is one of the best football tournaments in the world. And if anyone feels otherwise, well he's entitled to his opinion but rather unfair and disrespectful," Eguavoen told SportsBoom.com.

"Jamie Carragher spoke out of emotion and clearly doesn’t understand what this tournament means to us in Africa. That’s unfortunate."

Eguavoen revealed his personal connection to the competition, having played in three AFCON tournaments and coached in the competition.

"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 Côte 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."

AFCON vs. European Perception

Despite being Africa’s premier international tournament, AFCON often faces criticism from European pundits and coaches, who compare it unfavourably to the UEFA European Championship and Copa América. 

The tournament’s January-February schedule, which clashes with the European football calendar, has been a point of contention.

Eguavoen acknowledged these challenges but insisted that they do not justify disrespecting the tournament.

"Some coaches have prevented players from participating in AFCON, which is unfortunate for those who miss out."

"Playing for your national team is an honour, and this tournament provides a real opportunity to win silverware."

"Not every player will get to compete in the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA Champions League, which makes AFCON even more significant for African players."

The Need for Mindset Change

Eguavoen urged players to take AFCON seriously, despite concerns over club commitments.

"Players also need to shift their mindset and take the tournament seriously. I understand their concerns—losing their spot in the club team or financial considerations—but AFCON deserves respect."

"The timing of the competition is a challenge, and clubs invest heavily in these players, but that doesn’t diminish the tournament’s importance."

Salah’s Ballon d’Or Chances

With Salah in exceptional form for Liverpool this season, he remains a strong contender for both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best awards. 

Following his goal and assist against Manchester City, the Egyptian forward is now third on Liverpool’s all-time goalscoring chart.

As AFCON approaches in early 2025, debates over the tournament’s global recognition will likely continue.

"If AFCON winners are not being given the recognition they deserve, that’s unfortunate. This is a major tournament, and not every great player will win a World Cup. Winning the World Cup or Champions League shouldn’t be the sole criterion for individual awards."

Eguavoen has a rich history with AFCON. As a player, he won the tournament with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in 1994 and also earned silver and bronze medals during his active career.

As a coach, he led Nigeria to a third-place finish in 2006, securing a bronze medal. He also coached the Super Eagles in AFCON 2022, though they were eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 1-0 loss to Tunisia.

Despite AFCON facing continued scrutiny from European figures, Eguavoen remains firm in his belief that the tournament deserves the utmost respect and recognition on the global stage.