Jirani apikwa! Kenya, Tanzania trade barbs online after CHAN 2024 exit
The digital rivalry was sharpened by the fact that just hours before the match, Tanzanian fans had circulated a poetic prediction promising their Taifa Stars would crush Morocco
Kenya and Tanzania may have been eliminated from the CHAN 2024 quarterfinals on the same night, but the aftermath quickly spilt into a fierce online battle that turned heartbreak into mockery and rivalry.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars were the first to bow out in Nairobi after a 1-1 draw with Madagascar ended in a 4-3 penalty defeat. Minutes later in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars were edged out by Morocco through a solitary goal from Oussama Lamlaoui.
In Nairobi, tension gave way to laughter as some fans refused to leave the city centre after the Harambee Stars’ loss.
At the Kenya National Archives in the city centre, a section of supporters stayed behind to watch Tanzania’s game, celebrating Morocco’s strike as if it were their own. Chants of “Morocco kiboko yao!” (Hail Morocco!) echoed through the streets as Kenyans turned their neighbours’ loss into their victory.
Social media platforms lit up almost immediately. One Kenyan wrote: “Faith Kipyegon has more Olympic gold medals than Tanzania and Madagascar combined.”
Another added after Morocco’s win: “Jirani apikwa, akaangwa, adhalilishwa na Morocco kiwanjani Benjamin Mkapa!”
Translation: Tanzania humiliated by Morocco at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium!
The digital rivalry was heightened by the fact that just hours before the match, Tanzanian fans had circulated a poetic prediction promising their Taifa Stars would crush Morocco, naming Feisal, Kapombe, and Kagoma as warriors who would lead the charge.
By the end of the night, Kenyans were gleefully reposting the same poem—only now as satire aimed at their neighbours.
One Kenyan summed up the mood with biting words: “Jirani mkaidi atemwa nje ya kinyang’anyiro cha CHAN. Morocco ni underdog huku Kenya, sasa tumewaachia majirani kuonja.”
Translation: Stubborn neighbour eliminated from CHAN. Morocco is the underdog to Kenya, but now we have let Tanzanians face the challenge.
As the online exchanges raged on, Tanzanian fans grew silent, leaving Kenyans to dominate the banter with memes, chants, and witty put-downs. While both nations exited the tournament in the same round, only Kenya walked away claiming victory in the virtual arena.
Attention now turns to Kampala, where Uganda will host Senegal’s Lions of Teranga today, August 23, at 5:00 pm East African Time (EAT).
