Egypt fans welcome their team at Khartoum airport [AFP]

Frenzied, chanting crowds greeted the teams as they arrived in Khartoum on Sunday to battle for Africa's last qualifying place in the 2010 World Cup finals.

After a last minute equaliser from Egypt on Saturday night, the teams will play a decider in Obdurman near Khartoum for the chance to go to South Africa next year.

It follows a fiery encounter in Cairo, where the Algerians were allegedly injured when their tour bus was stoned by crowds.

"One, two, where are the champions of Africa?" shouted a crowd of Egyptians waiting at the airport hours ahead of their team's arrival.

Thousands of Egyptian labourers working in Sudan will help fill the stadium while Algerian flags began to appear on Sudanese cars throughout the capital.

"The greens all the way!" said Sudanese Khidr Osman, who was carrying an Algerian flag.

He was joined by dozens of young Sudanese.

Shared passion

Egypt has a long and mixed history with Sudan of colonial rule as well as friendship but football remains a shared passion.

"When Sudan was playing Chad in Egypt, they weren't supporting us," said Osman, echoing the sentiments of many young Sudanese.

Sudan was one of the founder members of the Confederation of African Football but after years of civil war the game has declined.

Still, the Sudanese, whose own national team played dismally in the qualifying rounds, are delighted to get a piece of the World Cup action.

"I'm with the Egyptians becuause they chose us to host this," said businessman Mohamed Amin.

"I hope the Sudanese team watch the match...and learn," his colleague Shenah Hasoona said.