Mapinduzi Cup: Historic East African derby returns to Zanzibar stage

Mapinduzi Cup: Historic East African derby returns to Zanzibar stage

Kenya and Tanzania reignite their long-standing football rivalry on Tuesday night at the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup. With Kenya holding a significant historical edge, both teams are eager for their first win in this four-team tournament.

Kenya has dominated Tanzania in their 68 encounters, with 36 victories and 127 goals scored compared to Tanzania's 17 wins and 77 goals. The remaining 15 matches ended in draws, clearly showing Kenya's historical edge over their southern rivals.

This evening, the two teams will rekindle their rivalry at Gombani Stadium in Zanzibar, both seeking their first win in the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup. This four-team friendly tournament, organised by the Zanzibar Football Federation, also features hosts Zanzibar and Burkina Faso. The highly anticipated East African Derby kicks off at 7 p.m. EAT.

Tanzania started the tournament with a narrow 1-0 loss to Zanzibar on Friday. Meanwhile, Kenya let victory slip away during injury time in their 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso on Saturday. Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi, while lamenting missed opportunities, expressed optimism for an improved performance against Tanzania.

Kimanzi fielded a youthful starting lineup against Burkina Faso, entrusting Tusker’s Byrne Odhiambo in goal over the experienced Farouk Shikhalo. Captain Abud Omar anchored the left-back position, while Daniel Sakari partnered with Hanif Wesonga and Brian Okoth in defence. The midfield included Boniface Muchiri, Brian Musa, James Kinyanjui, Kenneth Muguna, and Michael Mutinda, with Ryan Ogam leading the attack as a lone striker.

For tonight’s clash, Kimanzi may introduce new faces to the lineup, but Daniel Sakari, Kenneth Muguna, and Michael Mutinda are expected to retain their spots. These three were instrumental in Kenya's 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their last meeting in Nairobi in March 2021.

Unused substitutes against Burkina Faso - Alphonce Omija, Austin Odhiambo, Mohammed Bajaber, and Ronney Onyango - will be eager to make an impact in this evening’s derby. On Tanzania's side, coach Ahmad Ally will likely consider starting Ayub Lyanga, who scored in their last match against Kenya and showed promise in their earlier clash with Zanzibar.

Kenya heads into the game with an impressive record against their neighbours, including six wins and one draw in their last seven encounters. Their last defeat to Tanzania came in a 1-0 friendly match in November 2012.

This ongoing streak marks Kenya’s third-longest unbeaten run against Tanzania, following a 10-match streak from 1951 to 1964 and a nine-match streak from 1981 to 1994. Notably, Kenya’s historic 3-2 victory over Tanzania at the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt remains a highlight in their rivalry.

Tonight’s match is also steeped in history. Kenya and Tanzania first faced off in Zanzibar on December 8, 1949, with Tanganyika—now Tanzania—winning 2-0. However, Kenya exacted revenge in their next meeting on September 30, 1953, with a commanding 7-1 win.

The Gombani Stadium clash is not just another friendly; it’s a continuation of a storied rivalry that has defined East African football for decades.

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