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Kenya to face Tanzania, Senegal and Algeria in 2019 AFCON


Kenya national football team Harambee Stars has drawn neighbours Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in the upcoming 32nd edition of African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The draw, which pits the two teams in Group C alongside football powerhouses Senegal and Algeria, comes at a time when the two neighbours have been involved in a banter of sort.

Kenya is ‘accusing’ Tanzania of holding ‘its rain’ while the latter wants a ransom in the shape of Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o in return before ‘releasing the rains’.

The two teams will now have the chance to settle scores at the tournament set to kick off on June 21 through to July 19 in Egypt.

But they will have to get the better of 1990 champions Algeria and 2002 runners-up Senegal in order to proceed to the next round.

RUNNERS-UP

Kenya will be making her fifth appearance at the tournament while Tanzania are making their second.

In the other draws, 1978 runners-up Uganda has been pooled in a tough group at the first ever 24-team tournament alongside seven-time winner Egypt, Zimbabwe and two-time champion DR Congo in Group A.

Group B will see three-time champion Nigeria, 1976 runners-up Guinea, and debutants Madagascar and the fourth East African country Burundi battling it out for a place in the last 16.

Another tough group pits 1976 winner Morocco against two-time champion Ivory Coast, 1996 winners South Africa and Namibia in Group D.

DEBUTANT

Group E will have 2004 champion Tunisia, 1972 runners-up Mali, another debutant Mauritania and 2008 and 2010 editions quarter finalist Angola.

The last group, Group F,  sees five-time AFCON winner Cameroon slug it out with four-time champions Ghana, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.