This means that Harambee Stars, which could potentially face
neighbouring Tanzania’s Taifa Stars will now face Madagascar.
This also means Tanzania will meet Morocco in the quarter
finals of CHAN, having topped their group.
While there was a lot of banter around the two countries
meeting and alongside many other aspects of the ongoing games co-hosted by
Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania, the tiff between has continued to grow.
In the banter, Tanzanians have seen themselves as superior
to Kenya, having had an easy run in their group B games. They hoped to meet
Kenya in the quarterfinals.
At the beginning of the tournament, president of Tanzanian
football club Yanga, Hersi Said, while speaking to the media said he pitied
Harambee Stars who were in the group famously referred to as the ‘Group of
death’ in football terms.
He wished Kenya well, saying that Tanzania was in a safe
pool and they were going to give their best.
“Kwanza nawaonea huruma Kenya, watakuwa kwenye group of death
na niwaombee kila la heri. Tanzania tunaenda kucompete na tutakuwa sawa,” Hersi
said.
At the end of Kenya’s last game against Zambia, it was clear
that the meeting with Tanzania was not going to be possible.
Kenyan coach Benni McCarthy was also not left out of the
fun, saying that Tanzanians had gotten their wish and they will feel what Harambee
Stars experience in the group of death.
“One foot back after the Morocco game, they will know what
we went through every game in this tournament. Good luck to them,” he said.
Kenyan fans have taken to their social media pages to wish
Morocco success in the encounter.
The banter has extended to radio and TV shows as presenters
continue to hammer the East African neighbours.
Here are some of the comments from Kenyan fans;
“Tanzania tunaomba muipokee Morocco kama maua. You will make
a good love story, I promise,”Jesse Munene said.
“Tanzania walikuwa wanaogopa Morcco na wanajifanya wanataka
Kenya. Sasa kimeumana,” Moffat official said.
Cartoon47 said, “Tanzania nawapenda you always support me
kwa music, but kwa hili la mpira ni uongo kidogo.”
“Tanzania Mwarabu anakuja hapo Mkapa stadium pambaneni hata,” Billy Omaset said.
Petero KE said, ”We have sent Morocco to Tanzania. It’s for
Taifa Stars to play a real opponent in the CHAN quarter finals. Jirani
wataumia.”