CHAN 2024: Yanga Official Fires Back at Benni McCarthy Ahead of Tanzania vs Morocco
- The Kenya vs Tanzania football rivalry deepened on Monday after a Yanga official fired back at Benni McCarthy's sentiments
- The Harambee Stars head coach sarcastically wished Taifa Stars all the best ahead of their quarter-final match against Morocco
- Both countries will have the privilege of playing their quarter-final matches in front of their home crowds after winning their groups
The online war between Kenya and Tanzania is quickly escalating as the African Nations Championships (CHAN) gets into its business end.
Source: UGC
The two co-hosts have qualified for the knockout phase in spectacular fashion after winning their groups in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Kenya triumphed in a tough-looking Group A that had DR Congo, Morocco, Angola and Zambia, while Tanzania beat Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mauritania and drew with the Central African Republic.
What did Benni McCarthy say about Tanzania?
Speaking after beating Zambia, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy stirred the pot by claiming Tanzania will go through what Kenya went through in the 'Group of Death'.
"Tanzania will get their wish, and they will experience what we experienced. The group of death, now Morocco is going to Tanzania. I want feedback after the Morocco game, so that they know what we went through in this tournament. So yeah, good luck to Tanzania in the next round."
Kenya beat a highly-fancied Morocco side with Ryan Ogam scoring the only goal of the game. Harambee Stars were reduced to 10 men after Crispine Erambo was sent off, but Kenya held on nonetheless for a historic win.
McCarthy's comments have rubbed Tanzanians the wrong way, who have now fired back ahead of their quarter-final match against Morocco.
Ally Kamwe responds to Benni McCarthy
Taifa Stars will play the Atlas Lions on Friday at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Friday just a few hours after Kenya's game against Madagascar in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Young Africans (Yanga) Media and Communications manager Ali Kamwe retorted that Morocco would be the underdogs in that game, dismissing McCarthy's assertions of 'Group of Death'.
"Every now and then, it is as if Kenyans are testing us. I saw Kenya's coach saying we will see what they saw in the Group of Death. Which Group of Death? Angola? Congo? Is that a Group of Death?" he posed.
Kamwe insisted that Harambee Stars are in for a tougher test against Madagascar.
The CAF B license holder also accused Kenya of fearing Tanzania, after battling to win their group, which ensured they would play their quarter-final in Nairobi.
"He (McCarthy) will see what the Group of Death looks like when they play Madagascar. You can threaten us. In fact, we wanted to play Morocco. Kenya fear us, that's why they ensured they beat Zambia to remain in Nairobi."
"They should have drawn with Zambia, then we met them in the quarters, rather than talking online. They fear us. Morocco will be the underdog. We have better players than they do. We have no reason to fear them."
Can Tanzania face Kenya at CHAN 2024?
After winning their groups, Tanzania and Kenya are now on opposite ends of the bracket and can only meet in the final.
Should they win their quarter-final and semi-final matches, that will set up a tasty affair at the Kasarani Stadium on August 30.
Source: UGC
Tanzania can, however, meet another one of their rivals, Uganda, in the semi-finals.
The Cranes won their group, which means if they get past their quarter-final opponent and Tanzania beats Morocco, they will face off in the semi-finals in Kampala.
Why Kenya can still play in Tanzania
In a related report, we explained why Kenya can still play in Tanzania despite winning Group A.
The overall reason for topping Group A was to ensure that Kenya's quarter-final against Madagascar would be played in Nairobi and not in Tanzania against the hosts.
However, depending on how the quarter-final matches go, Kenya might still have to travel to Tanzania.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
