Thierry Henry vs. Jamie Carragher: AFCON Drama Unfolded
In the aftermath of the chaotic AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco, Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher engage in a heated debate over tournament significance and officiating standards. Dive into the dramatic showdown that captivated football fans worldwide.

Thierry Henry dismissed a suggestion from fellow pundit Jamie Carragher as the pair discussed the recent Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. Former Liverpool defender Carragher has been criticised in the past for suggesting that the AFCON should not be considered a "major tournament", and has now raised the question as to whether European referees should be recruited in a bid to improve officiating standards. However, legendary ex-France and Arsenal striker Henry quickly rejected that opinion.The AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco proved to be an unmissable spectacle, with all manner of incidents occurring as the two teams clashed at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah.Senegal players left the field of play when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the 98th minute, with head coach Pape Thiaw livid after his side had a goal disallowed moments before that decision. Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane stayed put and tried to encourage his team-mates to return to the pitch, and eventually, after a delay of roughly 17 minutes, they came back.Brahim Diaz took the penalty for Morocco but his Panenka attempt was easily gathered by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before Ndala blew his whistle for full-time. Pape Gueye scored the winner in extra time to help Senegal lift the trophy, but the chaotic scenes continued after the game, with both Thiaw and Morocco boss Walid Regragui being chastised by journalists in the post-match press conferences.Carragher has previously been criticised for suggesting that AFCON should not be considered a "major tournament" when discussing the legacy of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and if he could win the Ballon d'Or.Back in February last year, he said: "I think the problem is the fact he's with Egypt, and he's probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it's either the Champions League or the major tournament. Normally, the player who excels in that."Carragher later clarified his comments after a social media backlash: "I’ve got very strong opinions on the game, I love debate and that will never change. But what I never want to be described as as a pundit would be ignorant or disrespectful, so that was never my aim, whether that's to a club, a player, a country, a continent, an international tournament, whatever that may be. What I would say is, where I got it wrong was I was clumsy with my language, in describing AFCON as not a major tournament."I was trying to explain the merits of Mo Salah winning the Ballon d’Or and I felt, or feel, that not just AFCON, but the Asia Games or Gold Cup, not so much the Copa America, but there are five more competitions out there besides the World Cup that are for their continent a major tournament. Some of them don’t resonate with people who vote for the Ballon d’Or and that was not an opinion, that was a fact in terms of looking at who won the Ballon d’Or over the last 40 or 50 years."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Carragher and Henry discussed the 2025 AFCON final on CBS Sports on Tuesday, with the former suggesting the officiating could be improved by having European referees in charge.He asked: "You mention about the referees there, could there not be a case where they actually bring some of the top European referees [in to oversee AFCON matches]?"Henry replied swiftly: "You have to give African referees a chance. It is an African tournament, it has to have African referees. "I'm talking about sending someone to put them to a certain level, because you can see there are more and more mistakes all of the time, and it does start to tarnish the tournament a bit. But people blame the tournament - it's not the tournament's fault, it's not the teams or players' fault."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingCarragher's immediate attention will be on Liverpool's next game on Wednesday night, which is a Champions League clash with Marseille. A win in France would strengthen their position in the league phase table and Slot has already hinted that Salah, who scored four goals with Egypt as they came third at the AFCON, could start the fixture.Liverpool are currently 11th after Tuesday evening's fixtures, which included wins for the likes of Real Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, Arsenal and Tottenham, but they could move as high as fourth if they manage to beat Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille side. The Ligue 1 outfit have won three and lost three of their six games in the competition, but have been victorious in their two most recent encounters against Newcastle United and Union Saint-Gilloise.
The AFCON Final: Scenes of Controversy and Triumph
The Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco was a spectacle filled with drama and controversy. Senegal players staged a protest, Morocco missed a crucial penalty in a Panenka attempt, and Pape Gueye ultimately secured the victory for Senegal after extra time. The chaos extended to the post-match press conferences, with both coaches facing criticism from journalists.
Carragher's Controversial AFCON Views
Jamie Carragher's past comments questioning the significance of the AFCON as a 'major tournament' have sparked debate in the football community. Despite facing backlash, Carragher defended his position, clarifying that he did not intend to be disrespectful but rather emphasized other competitions in the context of individual accolades like the Ballon d'Or.
Henry Rejects Carragher's Proposal on European Referees
During a discussion on CBS Sports, Jamie Carragher proposed the idea of bringing in European referees to officiate AFCON matches for improved standards. However, Thierry Henry quickly dismissed this suggestion, advocating for giving African referees the opportunity to excel in their own tournament and emphasizing the need to support their growth.
Liverpool's Focus After AFCON
With Mohamed Salah's impressive performance at the AFCON, Liverpool will be looking to capitalize on his form in their upcoming Champions League clash. Jurgen Klopp's side aims to secure a crucial win against Marseille, with Salah potentially playing a key role. The match presents an opportunity for Liverpool to climb the league table and strengthen their position in the competition.














