Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has become the latest high-profile figure to wade into the lighthearted football banter between Kenya and Tanzania ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals.
The rivalry, which has been raging online for days, has intensified as both co-hosts sealed their places in the last eight alongside Uganda.
Kenya is set to face Madagascar on Friday at Kasarani Stadium at 5 PM. At the same time, Tanzania will square off against the Atlas Lions of Morocco, two-time champions, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium at 8 PM EAT.
Morocco, who finished second behind Kenya in Group A, presents a tough test for the Taifa Stars, raising the stakes for the regional rivalry.
Kenya won 1-0 against Morocco and also beat Zambia with the same margin.
Unconfirmed reports have emerged online that some Harambee Stars fans have cheekily purchased tickets for the Tanzania versus Morocco clash—not to cheer Tanzania but to support the North Africans and deny local fans access.
It is in this context that CS Murkomen weighed in with a tongue-in-cheek reaction.
“I congratulate all Kenyans who have bought Tanzanian tickets. Please make sure you travel and go and support Morocco at Benjamin Mkapa. I like the banter between us, Uganda, and Tanzania, but if they are going to make fun of us the way they have done, I’ll be very happy if it is Kenya versus Tanzania in the finals in Nairobi. Just imagine!”
Murkomen added a Kiswahili twist to his remarks, joking that should the dream East African final happen, “Tutacheza kwa Kingereza, game yetu,” a quip that lit up social media and fueled the banter further.
The CS’s playful comments reflect the charged yet humorous atmosphere surrounding CHAN 2024, which has united East Africans while also sparking competitive online exchanges.
Also, the struggle by Kenyans to get tickets ahead of the Madagascar tie following the portal crash fuelled their anger instead purchasing the Tanzania versus Morocco tickets, which were available.
Fans on both sides have traded memes, playful digs, and bold predictions, making the tournament not just about football but also about regional pride.
With the quarter-finals set to kick off, attention now shifts to the pitch. Whether Kenya and Tanzania will make it to a dream final remains uncertain, but for now, the banter continues to be as fierce as the football itself.
