East Africa’s hopes rest on Uganda as Kenya and Tanzania crash out of CHAN
Uganda Cranes players take part in training ahead of their clash with Senegal. Photo/FUFA
East Africa’s dream of a historic double at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) ended on Friday night after both Kenya and Tanzania were eliminated in the quarter-finals, leaving Uganda as the region’s sole survivor.
In Nairobi, Kenya’s Harambee Stars fell 4–3 on penalties to Madagascar after a 1–1 draw at Kasarani Stadium.
Later in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars suffered a 1–0 defeat to Morocco, who scored a second-half winner at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The exits came after days of intense online banter between Kenyan and Tanzanian fans, each taunting the other about who would last longer in the tournament.
Memes, hashtags, and playful digs flooded social media, with supporters joking about “booked return flights” and “East Africa’s real football kings.”
Kenya’s penalty heartbreak and Tanzania’s narrow defeat meant neither side could claim bragging rights, as both bowed out on the same day.
The elimination ended hopes of a regional semi-final showdown, which many fans had anticipated with excitement.
That leaves Uganda as East Africa’s only representative.
The Cranes face Senegal in Kampala on Saturday (today) for a place in the last four(4).
Semi-final fixtures are scheduled for Wednesday, August 26: Madagascar will play the winner of Sudan versus Algeria, while Morocco awaits the victor of the Uganda–Senegal clash.
Matches will be staged in Dar es Salaam and Kampala.
