Kenya’s Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has fired a cheeky shot at Tanzanian football fans as the Taifa Stars prepare to face Morocco in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals in Dar es Salaam.
McCarthy’s men sealed top spot in Group A after an unbeaten run against continental giants Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia. The South African tactician has received both praise and criticism during the campaign, with Tanzanian supporters among the most vocal skeptics of his side’s performances.
Speaking after his team’s 2-1 victory over Zambia, McCarthy could not resist addressing the chatter from across the border. With a grin, he wished Tanzania luck in their upcoming clash against Morocco but added a sting to his words. He reminded the Taifa Stars and their fans that Morocco had already proven a nightmare opponent, hinting that the North Africans would likely deliver the same harsh lesson they handed to Kenya’s rivals in past competitions.
“Now Tanzania will know what we went through,” McCarthy quipped, making reference to the difficulty of facing Morocco in the so-called ‘group of death.’
Kenya’s victory over Morocco in the group stages was one of the shocks of the tournament, especially considering the Harambee Stars played the entire second half with ten men. That tactical triumph cemented McCarthy’s growing reputation as a coach capable of masterminding results against Africa’s elite.
For Tanzania, however, the challenge ahead looks daunting. Morocco has consistently dominated their East African opponents, winning twice in World Cup qualifiers by identical 2-0 margins. They also clashed at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where the Atlas Lions cruised to a 3-0 win.
With that record in mind, McCarthy’s jibe feels less like banter and more like a blunt reality check. While Tanzania’s fans have been quick to dismiss Kenya’s achievements, they may find themselves eating their words if Morocco once again asserts its superiority.
As the quarterfinal approaches, the spotlight will be on whether Tanzania can rewrite history against a Moroccan side that has set the standard in African football. For McCarthy, however, the message was clear sometimes it’s better to watch quietly than to be “mouthy” before the battle begins.
