Ghanaian football legend Sammy Kuffour has taken a swipe at Jamie Carragher, questioning his footballing credentials after the former Liverpool defender downplayed the significance of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Carragher recently sparked controversy when he compared AFCON to regional competitions such as the Gold Cup and Asian Games while discussing Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances. His remarks led to widespread criticism, with Kuffour among those demanding an apology.
“Jamie Carragher has to apologise to all African people because AFCON is not a normal tournament,” Kuffour said on Sporty FM.
The former Bayern Munich defender emphasized Africa’s contribution to world football, noting that the continent has produced some of the best players in history.
“Africa has given us the best of the best. Africa has produced a Ballon d’Or winner,” he stressed.
However, Kuffour did not stop at defending African football—he also questioned Carragher’s own career achievements, implying that he was not among the elite defenders of his time.
“What has Jamie Carragher achieved? If he wasn’t born in Liverpool, he would not have had the chance to play for Liverpool,” Kuffour remarked.
He went even further, dismissing Carragher’s standing in world football.
“If we mention the best 2,000 defenders in the world, Jamie Carragher will not be part of them. He’s nothing. He just talks. He should be ashamed of himself.”
Though Carragher later clarified that he had no intention of disrespecting AFCON, his comments have continued to provoke strong reactions, with many calling for more respect for African football.
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