Former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has joined Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and Ahmed Musa in reacting to Jamie Carragher\u2019s controversial comments about the Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Carragher recently downplayed AFCON\u2019s significance on a show by arguing that it is not a major tournament capable of helping an African player win the Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/p>\n The former Liverpool defender\u2019s comments<\/a> have sparked backlash from African football figures, who view AFCON as one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/ch0k28R1JN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Arne Slot (@arneslotttt) February 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Speaking to Sports Boom<\/a>, Eguavoen defended the tournament and criticised Carragher for his stance.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Africa Cup of Nations is one of the best football tournaments in the world. And if anyone feels otherwise, well, he\u2019s entitled to his opinion, but it\u2019s rather unfair and disrespectful,\u201d Eguavoen said. \u201cJamie Carragher spoke out of emotion and clearly doesn\u2019t understand what this tournament means to us in Africa. That\u2019s unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The former Super Eagles defender, who played in three AFCON tournaments and later coached Nigeria at the competition, weighed in on its global appeal.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m proud of what it represents. The last tournament in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, for example, was watched globally, and the quality of football was exceptional. Carragher\u2019s comments were emotional rather than thoughtful. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll reflect on them and eventually apologise.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Eguavoen\u2019s comments come after Jay-Jay Okocha and Ahmed Musa also hit back at Carragher\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n Former Super Eagles captain, Okocha, has earlier dismissed the claim that the tournament is not prestigious enough.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are some players that would say something and you just have to overlook it. If you look at their career, if you look at the type of football they played, then you can understand,\u201d Okocha said<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean\u2026 you won\u2019t want your son to be like [Jamie] Carragher. So you can never appreciate African football or the talents that come from Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Ahmed Musa, Nigeria\u2019s most-capped player, also responded with a strong message to remind Carragher of how important African football is.<\/p>\n\n
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Okocha and Musa defend AFCON<\/h4>\n
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