Former AFC Leopards midfielder and ex-Vihiga United assistant coach Francis Xavier claims Kenya and Tanzania were just not at the level to compete against Senegal and Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The two 2019 Afcon finalists were in the same group as the Harambee Stars and the Taifa Stars, and neither of the two East African troubled their opponents in those games.
Kenya lost 2-0 to Algeria and 3-0 to Senegal, while Tanzania were beaten 3-0 by Algeria after a 2-0 loss against Senegal.
"They (Kenya and Tanzania) were the weakest teams in the group (Group C) and if you watched the games well there is a lot of ground to cover if they have to challenge other African teams," Xavier told Goal.
"The moment we accept there is a big gap, then we will accept reality with ease and fight to address the issue.
"The two countries were just below Senegal and Algeria and made mistakes that actually showed we are not at the level of the two nations and it is those mistakes that made them punished."
Algeria managed to clinch the title after a 1-0 victory over the Lions of Teranga in Friday's final, repeating a feat they manged in the group stage, where they also won by a solitary goal.
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