Kenyans have thrown their weight behind Morocco ahead of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-final clash with Tanzania, scheduled for Friday, August 22, in Dar es Salaam.
The fixture comes after Tanzania topped Group Two while Morocco finished second, setting up a fierce East African-North African showdown. For Kenyans, the game carries extra weight because of the growing football rivalry between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
The Harambee Stars defied expectations in the so-called “Group of Death,” where few gave them a chance to progress. Against all odds, they advanced, even recording a famous one-nil win over Morocco. That victory remains a source of pride for Kenyans, who now hope Morocco can “do them a favour” by eliminating Tanzania.
In recent weeks, Kenyan and Tanzanian fans have exchanged heated jabs on social media, with Tanzanians mocking Kenya’s tough draw and Kenyans hitting back after Harambee Stars’ impressive run.
“The rivalry is real. We want Morocco to beat Tanzania because they dismissed us before the tournament. This is about football bragging rights in East Africa,” one Kenyan supporter wrote online.
Meanwhile, Kenya will also be in action on Friday in another quarter-final tie, taking on Madagascar in Dar es Salaam. The Stars will be hoping to extend their fairytale run and book a place in the semi-finals, as fans cheer Morocco in the neighbouring duel.
With both Kenya and Tanzania fighting for spots in the last four, East Africa is braced for a dramatic night of continental football—one that could settle rivalries on and off the pitch.
