The East African banter heated up on social media as Kenya and Tanzania both exited the CHAN 2024 quarter-finals, sparking a flurry of online reactions from the two neighbours.
Tanzania bowed out following a 0–1 defeat to Morocco.
Kenya, meanwhile, was eliminated on penalties after a 1–1 draw with Madagascar.
Despite the shared disappointment, Kenyans seized the moment to fire back at their “jirani” (neighbour), delivering jabs.
Some of the trending reactions were, "Kwa Jirani kumewaka 😂😂🤌”.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen took a sarcastic swipe at the neighbouring country, saying, "Pole Jirani. Tuko pamoja kwa msimu huu!”
Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris was not left behind as she tweeted, “Pawa pawa... naishiwa pawa! Majirani zetu wa Tanzania wamejikuta wakikosa nguvu kabisa mbele ya Morocco. Viumbe dhaifu walioshindwa kufika penalty! Simba kageuzwa paka. Majirani hoyee? Upepo wa bahari unawapelekaje?"
Elsewhere, fans in Nairobi’s CBD were heard chanting, “Morocco kiboko yao.”
Another tweet by a user named Jimmy read, “Sisi tulifunga na ingine ikakataliwa, Jirani na ako nyumbani hajafunga ata ya offside”
Joining in the conversation, The Alfa House said, “Hivi sasa jirani anaona giza ila twazidi kumwombea.”
"Morocco is on mission dear Kenyans. Morocco is on assignment dear Kenyans. Morocco is accomplishing their assignment dear Kenyans. Jirani anaomba glukosii anapewa glosi😂😂," Collins Ouma tweeted.
X user Vitalis Ogola said, "Hakukuwa na haja ya jirani kuja uwanjani. Hata goal moja hamna. All our enemies are suffering 🤣"
Another Kenyan, Benedict Wanyiri, said: "Jirani hoyii hata shot moja ya kustua Keeper hawana"
"Jirani twataka mjue kuwa sisi tulidismantle Morocco na haikuwa bahati🙂🥲🥲," a user Shoteh, said.
"Tanzania anapigwa na Morocco tulipiga tukiwa na red card. Jirani letu ni jicho tu 😂😂," user Kijana ya Atwoli ( Parody) tweeted.
Before the match, reports had surfaced online of Kenyans purchasing tickets for the Tanzania vs. Morocco game.
This is after the ticketing site crashed while they were attempting to buy tickets for the Madagascar clash.
Tanzania, however, rubbished them as ploys to instil fear into Taifa FC.
Showing that there was no love lost being the two countries, Kenyans urged Morocco to knock out Tanzanians.
Morocco and Kenya clashed earlier in the tournament, with the Harambee Stars winning 1-0.
