By nightfall, Kenya could be counting its first gold medal in girls’ 3,000m race.
There will be no love lost when Kenyan charges face their main challengers, Ethiopia, in girls' 3,000m final tonight on Day One of the IAAF World Under-18 Championships at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
World Under-20, 5,000m silver medallist Immaculate Chepkirui and Beatrice Chebet carry hopes of Kenya in the medal hunt.
Chepkirui, whose personal best in 3,000m is 9:05.7, knows the country is watching and fans are yearning for the team to bag the precious medal.
Chepkirui, who is in Standard Seven at Kibori Primary School in Sotik, will look up to 2013 World Championship 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono for inspiration.
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She said she wants to make a shot at the 10-year-old girls' 3,000m world record of 8:53.94 set by Cherono in Ostrava.
"I want to be like Mercy Cherono. She has been having a good form and would be delighted if I replicate her form at Kasarani.
"She broke the youth record and no one has equalled that feat ever since. I have been thinking about it over the past months and I think it's possible (to lower the world mark).
"Having been part of the national team that took part in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala in March, I think my endurance is good enough for it (world record).
"But the most important thing is to win gold on Kenyan soil," said Chepkirui, who is a member of Mercy Cherono's training camp in Sotik.
Chebet, who clocked 9:07.0 to finish second at the national trials three weeks ago, will be making her debut at the World U-18 championships.
The team's assistant coach Andrew Maritim was confident that the duo will challenge their opponents with ease.
"They are in good shape and spirit ahead of tomorrow's (today) final. We have prepared them well and they know what is expected of them. We cannot watch as the title goes to our rivals" said Maritim.
Ethiopia's team manager Ashebir Demissu Jote, a former marathoner, warned the Kenyan athletes, saying they would not settle for anything less than four gold, four silver, four bronze medals.
He, however, cautioned his charges to be wary of the Kenyans.
"We picked very new runners for this event, but we are confident of having good results. We are projecting on winning 12 medals; four gold, four silver, four bronze at the end of championships," said Jote.
