Kenya-Tanzania banter: Why both sides are seeking CHAN 2024 bragging rights

The African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) is a beautiful football tournament on paper. But in East Africa, it has transformed into something more explosive. 

For the entire month, Kenyans and Tanzanians have been deeply embroiled in online banter following exemplary performances of the Harambee Stars and Taifa Stars.

‎From streets of Nairobi to coastal shores in Dar es Salaam, the main question is no longer who will win the tournament, but who owns East Africa’s bragging rights, as far as football is concerned. A full-blown sporting and traditional rivalry has played out online, as it has on the pitch. In a tournament they are co-hosting along with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have defied all odds to top their respective groups and qualify for the quarterfinals.

The competition, reserved exclusively for locally based talent, has not only attracted football fans to stadia but also generated heated online exchanges among fans. One could argue that the banter exploded during the final group stage matches between August 16-17, as Tanzania settled for a barren draw with the Central African Republic while Harambee Stars edged Zambia 1-0. Many Tanzanians had been hoping and praying for Kenya to finish second, setting up a blockbuster clash. But Tusker FC striker Ryan Ogam’s winning shot secured Kenya’s top spot in Group A, eventually dodging their neighbours, which further fueled the rivalry. 

Benni McCarthy’s men had already defeated the Atlas Lions, drawn with Angola and overcame DR Congo earlier in the group, maintaining their unbeaten status in an impressive campaign so far. 

The former Bafana Bafana striker added more heat to the fire by aiming a well-calculated jab: “Tanzania will get what they wished for and they will experience what we experienced in the group of death. I want feedback after the game against Morocco, good luck to Tanzania in the next round,” he said. 

McCarthy thought his comments would fade away quietly, only to rile up Tanzanians, with Yanga SC spokesman, Ali Kamwe, who came out guns blazing to defend their national team. The fiery Kamwe tore holes into Kenya’s football pride, issuing a response to the South African’s comments.

“McCarthy says they played in the group of death… against Angola and DR Congo? He will see what Madagascar has in store for him. If Kenya really wanted to play against us, they would have never scrambled for a winning goal against Zambia. The difference between Kenya and Tanzania is like heaven and earth. Kenya plays for money, we play for pride,” said Kamwe.

McCarthy and Kamwe’s spat attracted a lot of engagement online, with claims that some Kenyans had intentionally bought tickets for Tanzania’s quarterfinal fixture against Morocco scheduled for Friday.

However, Tanzanians were quick to dismiss these claims. ”We have seen Kenyans on social media saying they bought tickets, even big government officials telling them to keep buying. But we confirm it was propaganda meant to frighten Tanzanians,” said Kamwe.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen is also among prominent persons who added fuel to the roaring fire with a tongue-in-cheek rallying cry. “On a serious note, if I were to pick a side, I would take Tanzania as an East African brother, but if they mock us, I would rather go with Morocco. Imagine a Kenya-Tanzania final in Nairobi… what a moment that would be…and for our brothers, we will play in English so you do not understand our game,” he mocked.

The Tanzanian government also joined the fray, with spokesperson Gerson Msigwa dismissing Kenya’s bravado. “I want to remove fear from Tanzanians. The story that Kenyans have bought Tanzania vs Morocco tickets is a lie. They are only talking because they fear us,” said Misgwa

Tanzanian fans have turned the banter into a full-blown carnival of mockery and poetry. “The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium has been renamed “slaughterhouse”, with fans promising opposing teams destruction.

”We love Kenyans, but they must forgive us. We will dominate them in every section of the pitch. Let’s meet and solve this issue once and for all,” said one Nabii Meja.

Other Tanzania fans, however, were less diplomatic. ”Wenye meno hatuombi ushauri namna ya kusafisha meno kwa kibogoyo. Morocco amejichanganya, tutampiga na ataenda kusimulia. Ikiwezana nusu fainali, tutawataka Wakenya, hawa wenye fujo, nasi tunajua mpira,” another fans told KTN’s Davis Mberia.

Then came the cultural uppercuts. Hamza Omari, a fan leader, lashed out at Kenya’s Swahili, food and even the Maasai community. ”We have overtaken Kenya in every aspect. They speak poor Swahili; we will teach them. It is Ugali, not Sima, here we say “ninaomba” not “ninataka”. They should return our Maasai. Even their English would not save them if we meet them - we will finish them,” he said.

For now, Tanzania must first deal with Morocco and hope Kenya eclipses Madagascar to set up a chance of them meeting in the final.