Stars and Cranes take to the pitch in a Nations Cup tie

By Robin Toskin

The time for mind games is over. The banter both in the media, pubs and other social settings has hit feverpitch levels.

Uganda Cranes had been expected to land in Nairobi aboard a Kenya Airways plane, but plans were changed to have Air Uganda airlift the birds to the Kenyan capital.

Uganda have sought to up the pressure on Harambee Stars with their president Yoweri Museveni teasing Kenyans he would send busloads of fans to paint Nairobi yellow and red.

Cranes’ main threat David Obua of Scotland’s Premiership side, Hearts of Midlothian, threw his gauntlet down and taunted Inter Milan midfielder MacDonald Mariga before he was ruled out with a groin injury.

All that, however, will give way to the much-anticipated clash between Kenya and Uganda today in Group J of the Africa Nations Cup at Nyayo Stadium from 4pm. Uganda Cranes have their crest up after their 3-0 thrashing of Angola, which propelled them to the top of the group.

Harambee Stars were dimmed 1-0 in Guinea Bissau, a result that makes today’s encounter a cracking fixture that coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee hopes his Midas touch will give a kiss of life Kenya’s dreams of playing in 2012 finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Mulee played down Uganda’s recent good record against his charges saying records are always there to be broken.

"Records count for nothing. The defeat in Bissau, I believe, is motivation enough for us to do well," Mulee, who replaced Twahir Muhiddin after Stars’ opening match in Guinea Bissau said.

Uganda coach Bobby Williamson said the would disappoint Kenyan fans, but quickly added he respects Harambee Stars.

"Kenya is a good side. They have quality. But, we too are on a mission here and I hope we can give a good account of ourselves," the Scot said when he landed in Nairobi on Thursday night.

Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech spoke of the importance of the fixture, saying three points are crucial.

"It does not matter how many goals we score. We need all the three points. This is the time we need to bring our experience gained by playing in European leagues for the good of the country," the 25-year-old AJ Auxerre striker said.

Oliech, who is relishing his central striker’s position thrust to him by Auxerre coach Jean Fernandez in recent matches, heaped praise on Inter’s Mariga saying he has developed quite well.

"Forget what people said about a fictitious rift between us. We went to school together and we play for each other. Let fans come to Nyayo see how we will combine with him," Oliech said as he sought to put to rest earlier reported feud between him and Mariga.