Harambee Stars legend criticises Jamie Carragher for disrespecting AFCON

Harambee Stars legend criticises Jamie Carragher for disrespecting AFCON

Evans Ousuru 10:00 - 01.03.2025

John Baraza reveals why Jamie Carragher has no right to talk ill about Africa Cup of Nations.

Harambee Stars legend John Baraza has joined a list of players to criticize former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher following his shameful comments on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Carragher has been on the receiving end of criticism in the past few days for suggesting that the AFCON was not considered a ‘major tournament’.

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The former England defender appeared to insinuate that the biannual showpiece was inferior to other global football tournaments during last Sunday’s Premier League match between giants Liverpool and defending champions Manchester City.

Although he explained his stance in a series of tweets through his X account, the purported clarifications did little to exonerate him of the wrongdoing.

Immediately after making the comments, active and former players, as well as football enthusiasts, slammed Carragher for the outright disrespect to Africa’s premier football tournament.

While most of the Kenyan players have not publicly come out to condemn Carragher, Baraza has called out the now turned-television pundit for his careless remarks.

“The Africa Cup of Nations is and remains the best tournament. Carragher should respect it and African football,” said Baraza according to Mozzart Sports.

Baraza won the FKFPL title with Sofapaka in 2009 and also donned the Harambee Stars colours in the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia. Carragher himself won literally little in his career, leaving Baraza wondering why the Englishman had the audacity to make such derogatory remarks.

"Was he really a good player? What did he win during his active years? I find it strange for someone, who was average in his playing years to disrespect the AFCON,” Baraza added.

Baraza currently serves as an assistant coach at Bandari. The soft-spoken legend won the Golden Boot three times.