AFCON 2025
Nigerian Afrobeats star, Fireboy DML has added his voice to the growing list of African celebrities and football fans defending the prestige of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) amid criticism from foreign pundits.
In a recent episode of the 90s Baby Show, Fireboy passionately said: “AFCON is a major tournament to Africans and I think that’s what matters. Why should it matter what Jamie Carragher thinks? People will always talk. Carragher loves to talk, that’s how he makes his money”.
“It’s a major tournament to Africans. As a Nigerian, as an African football fanatic, it means a lot to me. I’m tuned in to watch every AFCON game. It’s a special moment for me, and it’s a lot like that with other Africans,” he said.
This comment comes in response to English football pundit and former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, who had downplayed the significance of AFCON in a recent broadcast, triggering widespread backlash across the African continent.
Carragher’s remarks, perceived as dismissive, have reignited debates around how global football treats African competitions and players, especially when players leave European clubs mid-season to represent their countries.
Fireboy’s bold response reflects a broader sentiment among Africans who believe that the biennial tournament, which unites a continent and showcases elite talent, deserves the same respect given to its European and South American counterparts.
