Security has been increased and the war of words has already begun as bitter rivals Algeria and Egypt prepare to renew hostilities on Thursday. The long-running feud between the two nations looks set to continue in Thursday's Group C game in front of an expected crowd of 25,000.
The history of meetings between these two sides is littered with violence, recriminations and threatened boycotts.
And the memory of the latest fall-out between the two North African nations is recent enough to guarantee that Thursday's game will not be for the faint-hearted.
Two years ago, they met in a crucial World Cup qualifier in the Algerian coastal town of Annaba which ended in a 1-1 draw.
But Egypt, whose chances of making it to the finals depended on a victory, appealed to have the match replayed after Algerian fans threw missiles on to the pitch leading to a 15-minute stoppage.
Egypt were leading 1-0 at the time but, after the game resumed, the Algerians equalised and it was Senegal who qualified from their group for the finals.
The violence spilled onto the streets after the match with the Egyptian team bus being stoned. Egypt also claimed that their national flag was burnt by Algerian fans. The Pharoahs' playmaker Ahmed 'Mido' Hassan, who scored in that match, said that it has always been his dream to score the winning goal against Algeria.
"If I really can score against the Algerian team again I will do it hard and without mercy because these people hate us as we are Egyptian players," said Mido.
"If I have the chance to make them quiet for many years I will do it without any mercy."
A World Cup qualifying game between the two in 1989 ended in fighting after a goal from Hossam Hassan gave Egypt 1-0 win and a place at Italia 90.
The match was watched by 100,000 people inside the Cairo Stadium and the trouble that followed saw criminal charges brought against Algerian striker Lakhdar Belloumi for an alleged attack on an Egyptian official after the game.
In retaliation, Egypt wanted to pull out of the 1990 African Nations Cup which were being staged in Algeria, eventually sending a B team to the tournament.
Former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shoubier, who played in that infamous 1990 World Cup qualifier, also turned up the pressure ahead of Thursday's clash.
"Algeria should not be difficult, as they have been struggling for the past decade to regain their reputation," he said.
Algeria coach Sadane Rabeh, whose team held holders Cameroon to a 1-1 draw in their opening match on Sunday, would only say he believes the match will be open.
"There are no secrets between us. It will be very tough for both sides," he said.
MMIX
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If I have the chance to make them quiet for many years I will do it without any mercy 
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