By INVOKING a popular Nigerian saying, dey your dey, former Nigerian international, Sam Sodje, has slammed Jamie Carragher for describing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a non-major tournament.
“Dey your dey,” in Nigeria parlance, simply means “mind your business.”
Stonix News reports that Carragher had dismissed AFCON as a major tournament, following the Reds’ 2-0 win at Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Advising Carragher to let AFCON be, the former Reading central defender described his remarks as not only “disrespectful,” and unnecessary.
London-born Sodje expressed his shock and disbelief, emphasising that AFCON deserves the same respect as other continental tournaments.
“I have a lot of respect for former footballers and take their views seriously,” Sodje stated.
“That’s why I was shocked to see Carragher talk down on AFCON, a tournament that brings together Africa’s best talents.”
He argued that AFCON, despite not having the same financial backing or television coverage as some other tournaments, remains a competition of global significance.
“FIFA regards all continental tournaments as equal,” he pointed out.
“AFCON is as important to Africans as the European Championships is to Europeans.”
Sodje also dismissed any need for validation from European pundits.
“Africans don’t need Carragher’s approval to enjoy AFCON. If he and others with a similar mindset don’t appreciate it, they should keep their opinions to themselves,” he enthused.
Sodje, who is a member of the Delta State Football Association (DSFA) Board and First Member of the Delta State Sports Commission Board under the leadership of Mr. Joshua Oborevwori, invoked the popular Nigerian saying, advising Carragher to “dey your dey” (mind your business) and let AFCON be.
Sam Sodje
The statement obtained by Stonix News on Monday reads thus:
I read Jamie Carragher’s comments on AFCON with shock and disbelief.
I have a lot of respect for former footballers and thus, will always take their views and comments on the beautiful game with every degree of seriousness.
This, therefore, is the more reason that it came to me as a big shock reading Jamie Carragher’s recent comments on the AFCON tournament, where stars of the African continent gather from all over the world to fight first for the best in the African continent.
But for the more comprehensive television coverage and monetary value attached to other continental tournaments, the AFCON, in terms of football stars participation, is definitely comparable to all other tournaments across the globe.
I believe very strongly that no matter how much some persons in some foreign countries try to talk down AFCON, the African continent and all sincere lovers of football will continue to enjoy the festival mode of the tournament irrespective of any shortcomings that may be associated with the tournament.
This said I can boldly say that sincere lovers of football across the African continent do not need the validation of people, the likes of Jamie Carragher or others who may be hiding in with their twisted view of Africa and Africans in order for Africans to enjoy the beauty of African skills that are exhibited during the AFCON tournaments.
Jamie Carragher
I will love very seriously to advise all those who are in the same camp with the same mentality as Jamie Carragher to keep their views and opinion to themselves as such is of no importance to Africans.
Every continental tournament is regarded as equal to each by FIFA, hence the special dates allocation are given to all continental tournaments on the FIFA calendar.
FIFA’s recognition of the AFCON is more important than what anyone of the likes of Jamie Carragher will try to sell to the gullible across the world.
AFCON is important to Africans just as European Championships is the Europeans. In fact, when it comes to football continental tournament as in every sphere of life, all continents are equal.
As one of our local sayings in Nigeria goes, Mr Jamie Carragher, “dey your dey” (mind your business) and let AFCON be.
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