Côte d’Ivoire head coach Emerse Faé has strongly defended the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested that the tournament does not hold the same significance as other major international competitions.
Carragher’s controversial statement
The debate was sparked when Carragher, now a Sky Sports pundit, commented on Mohamed Salah’s chances in the Ballon d’Or race.
He argued that playing for Egypt and competing in AFCON could hinder Salah’s chances of winning the award, stating:
“I think the problem is the fact that he plays for Egypt and he probably doesn’t play in a major tournament.”
Carragher’s remarks provoked widespread backlash, with many in the football world questioning his knowledge and respect for African football.
Among those who responded was Faé, who led Côte d’Ivoire to AFCON glory earlier this year.
Faé’s strong defence of AFCON
Speaking at a press conference while announcing his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Faé was blunt in his response, insisting that AFCON is on par with other global tournaments.
He pointed out that 2024 saw four major international competitions—AFCON, the Asian Cup, the Copa América, and the UEFA European Championship—and he had no doubts about which one was the best.
“We started with the Asian Cup at the beginning of the year, then the Euro and the Copa América. Anyone who is objective and has followed them will tell you that the best competition was AFCON. I tried to watch the Euro, honestly… I couldn’t hold on until the end: I was bored.”
Highlighting AFCON’s quality
Faé further defended AFCON’s prestige by citing the calibre of players who compete in the tournament, including some of the best talents in European football.
“You have players like Mo Salah, who makes Liverpool happy, Evan Ndicka, who is a leader at Roma, and Ademola Lookman, who carries Atalanta on his shoulders.”
The Ivorian coach also criticised Carragher’s understanding of African football, attributing his views to a lack of exposure and appreciation of the continent’s footballing culture.
“I think it is Jamie Carragher’s lack of knowledge of African football that means he does not consider AFCON as a major competition.”
A Call for Recognition
Faé expressed hope that African nations would use the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a platform to showcase the strength of the continent’s football, proving that AFCON is just as competitive as any other tournament.
“This is a strong message for Africa: we must go to the next World Cup and show them that AFCON is one of the major competitions in the world.”
Before concluding, he delivered a final jab at Carragher, suggesting he should broaden his perspective:
“The only thing I can say is that he should come to Africa more often and see how African nations have developed.”
AFCON’s growing global influence
Faé’s passionate response underscores the growing influence of African football on the world stage.
With players from the continent starring in top European leagues, AFCON continues to gain recognition as a tournament of the highest calibre.
Carragher’s comments may have sparked controversy, but they also reignited a conversation about the need for greater respect for African football on the global stage.
