Kenya could be set for a renewal of rivalries with Tanzania as the two nations are on a confrontation path in the ongoing Africa Nations Championships (2024).
Benni McCarthy's side currently sits top of Group A following resolute performances against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Moroco, where they secured a 1-0 win, a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 win respectively.
Harambee Stars faced their toughest test on Sunday, August 10, when they came up against Morocco, ranked number 1 in Africa in the latest FIFA ranking.
Many have tipped the Atlas Lions to top the group, although Kenya has exhibited solid performances since the tournament began. including beating the two-time CHAN champions 1-0 on Sunday.
Should Kenya secure second place, the possibility of clashing with Tanzania, who have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners, becomes all too real.
The Taifa Stars, being co-hosts of the tournament, have also been in frightening form in the group stage, securing three wins from their first three games. They kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso, followed it with a narrow 1-0 win against Mauritania, and capped off the group stage with a thrilling 2-1 win over Madagascar.
These victories secured them a perfect nine points, confirming top spot in Group B, and leaving them waiting to learn their next opponents in the knockout stages.
As per the CHAN 2024 format, the top two teams from each group progress to the knockout rounds, where the matchups are as follows: the winner of Group A faces the second-place team from Group B, while the winner of Group B plays the second-place team from Group A.
Similarly, the Group C winner will face the runner-up in Group D, while the winner of Group D will face the runner-up in Group C.
Besides sport, Kenya and Tanzania have been embroiled in feuds, particularly on social media, for different reasons. One of the more recent controversies involved the Tanzanian government's move to bar foreigners, including Kenyans, from engaging in certain business activities.
The Tanzanian government also earned criticism following the deportation of several high-profile Kenyans from the country in May.
After the clash against Morocco, the Harambee Stars will conclude their group campaign against Zambia on August 17.
