Jamie Carragher sat in a familiar Sky Sports studio when he cast doubt on the Africa Cup of Nations and its impact on global recognition for players. For John Mikel Obi, that was one step too far. He heard Carragher’s words and didn’t mince his own.
“You can’t discredit such a wonderful, wonderful tournament,” Mikel said bluntly on his Obi One Podcast. “People in Africa die for the Africa Cup of Nations. He sits there week in, week out, telling people how to win the Premier League. You haven’t won it.”
Mikel, a 2013 AFCON champion with Nigeria, showed no hesitation in calling for a public apology. For him, Carragher’s comments were dismissive and insulting.
The outspoken reaction, peppered with expletives, underscored just how much the tournament means in Africa. “If you think that the Premier League would be what it is today with just the English players, you’re f***ing having a laugh, mate,” Mikel added, pushing back on any notion that African competitions lack prestige.
Mikel calls for respect
Mikel’s frustration mirrors a broader sentiment among African players and fans. They see AFCON as a source of immense pride, despite sometimes being overshadowed in Europe. “You don’t know what it takes to win the f***ing Premier League,” he continued, highlighting Carragher’s zero league titles at Liverpool.
Carragher, meanwhile, has admitted his wording might have been “clumsy,” but the former defender has insisted his point was about how major European tournaments often receive more attention. Still, he’s faced considerable backlash. Former professionals and fellow pundits, from Micah Richards to Rio Ferdinand, have taken him to task for downplaying the significance of AFCON.
Mikel’s anger seems rooted in more than a single comment. It’s about an entire continent that often fights for respect on the international stage. AFCON may not have the same global spotlight as the European Championship, but its importance is beyond question for Africans.
“It’s so disrespectful what he said,” Mikel concluded. “This is coming from someone who never won any major international competition with England. He owes us an apology.”
With AFCON continuing to produce world-class talents such as Liverpool’s likely Ballon d’Or candidate Mo Salah, Mikel’s fervor only amplifies a conversation beyond two ex-players. Carragher’s words struck a deep nerve in the eyes of millions across Africa. For Mikel and for those who revere the tournament, a simple apology might be the first step toward reconciliation.
