The group stages of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) have wrapped up, and Kenya’s Harambee Stars have emerged top of Group the so-called “group of death.” Their reward? A quarterfinal showdown against Madagascar.
That outcome dashed hopes of a much-anticipated East African derby against neighbours Tanzania’s Taifa Stars, who instead booked a date with North African giants Morocco after cruising through their own group.
But if the two sides won’t clash on the pitch, their fans are certainly doing battle off it.
From the start of the tournament, Tanzanians had their chests out, poking fun at Kenya for being lumped in the toughest pool. Young Africans (Yanga) president Hersi Said even told the media, half-smiling, half-mocking: “Kwanza nawaonea huruma Kenya… watakuwa kwenye group of death. Tanzania tuko sawa.”
Kenya, however, silenced doubters by topping the group. And when it became clear they wouldn’t face Tanzania in the next round, head coach Benni McCarthy cheekily passed the baton, saying: “One foot back after the Morocco game, they will know what we went through every match. Good luck to them.”
On social media, Kenyan fans ran with the joke, gleefully “sending Morocco” to their Tanzanian neighbours.
- Jesse Munene quipped: “Tanzania tunaomba muipokee Morocco kama maua. It’ll be a beautiful love story.”
- Moffat Official added: “Tanzania walikuwa wanajifanya wanataka Kenya. Sasa kimeumana.”
- Cartoon47 lightened it further: “Tanzania nawappenda kwa music, but kwa mpira hii si mchezo.”
Radio and TV shows across Kenya have since picked up the rivalry, turning the Morocco-Tanzania fixture into comedy fodder. Whether on the pitch or online, the East African football banter is showing no signs of slowing down.
