Uganda heads into this weekend's Africa Nations Cup group J qualifying match against Kenya hoping to cement their top position while a defeat for the hosts will deal a blow to their campaign hopes.
The game, scheduled for Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium, is building up to be one of the most hugely-anticipated regional derbies in recent years and the atmosphere is already intense on either side of the border.
Uganda currently lead the Group with maximum points following their 3-0 crushing of Angola in the opening match on September 4 in Kampala, while Kenya -- now coached by Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee -- lost 1-0 away to lowly Guinea Bissau to lie in third position.
The Ugandans beat Kenya twice to win back-to-back Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup trophies at home and in Nairobi in 2008 and 2009, and also edged out the hosts to qualify for the 2011 African Nations Championships finals in Sudan, on better goal aggregate earlier this year.
However, expectations are high in both countries as players and coaches taunt each other over tactics and individual playing skills.
In-form Kenyan skipper Denis Oliech is relishing the match-up -- his first international game against the Ugandans.
"The game is critical for Kenya. I hope we have learned from our mistakes," the Auxerre striker told reporters.
"We have to put behind us all that happened leading up to the Guinea Bissau loss and pull together against Uganda. I believe we have a better record against them."
However his Ugandan opposite, David Obua, who remains doubtful for the match with a groin injury, believes the pressure is on the Kenyans to win.
"The Kenyans are in trouble. We are going to hustle ball for ball and fight for the entire 90 minutes to make our nation proud," Obua, the Hearts winger, told Ugandan New Vision newspaper.
Mulee, will be in charge for the match after returning to replace Twahir Muhiddin, who was sacked after the loss in Bissau.
Mulee has warned that the team must win to stand any chance of reaching the 2012 Nations Cup finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
"We have no option but to beat Uganda. If we lose, I can say it will be like the end of the road for us," said Mulee, who took the Harambee Stars to the 2004 finals in Tunisia.
For Uganda, victory will be an added bonus. It will help keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the continental tournament for the first time since 1978.
A Kenya-based Ugandan businessman, Mike Ezra, has also promised a cash bonus of $50 000, or 114 million Ugandan shillings, to the team if they beat Kenya.
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