2002 AFCON and FIFA World Cup star El Hadji Diouf has blasted English sports broadcaster and writer Jamie Carragher for describing the Africa Cup of N
2002 AFCON and FIFA World Cup star El Hadji Diouf has blasted English sports broadcaster and writer Jamie Carragher for describing the Africa Cup of Nations as not a major tournament.
Mohammed Salah’s incredible form was a topic for discussion after the Reds’ 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester against Manchester City last week Sunday
Carragher made it clear Salah will not win the Balon d’Or if he does not win the UCL because Egypt can’t win any major tournament, putting the Egyptian forward at a huge disadvantage compared to Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr who, when they win Euro or Copa America, will be hugely considered.
Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge intervened and reminded Carragher that AFCON, too, is as big as the Euros and Copa America. Carragher then scoffed and disagreed with them.
It is almost a week, and that argument has generated heated debate among football fans, with many calling Carragher disrespectful and arrogant for belittling the Africa Cup of Nations.
Former Senegalese forward El Hadji Diouf has disclosed that the AFCON is so popular and that it deserves not that disrespect.
“Africans don’t 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.
He continued, “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. Carragher, it’s not even worth talking about!”
Africa has been known in the last four decades as a hub for talent in world football. European leagues are now full of African stars, with the likes of Mohammed Salah, Ademola Lookman, Omar Marmoush, Bryan Mbeumo, Achraf Hakimi, and so many other good players making the continent proud.
The much-anticipated 2025 AFCON will be played between December 2025 and January 2026 in Morocco.
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