Nairobi — Since Kennedy Ochieng' won an African 400m men's gold medal in 1993, no other Kenyan has ever had a podium finish, bar Ezra Sambu in 2004, who won silver.

Could this be a Kenyan chance to be crowned winners at the one-lap race? May be, as two Kenyans are in Friday's final. Mark Kiprotich Mutai won in the second heat in a time of 46.11 before Anderson Mureta Mutegi finished second in the fourth heat in 46.72 behind African record holder, Gary Kikaya of the Democratic Republic of Congo (46.52).

After all 100m and 200m Kenyan sprinters were bundled out of the five-day competition, all eyes will be on these two Kenyans, when the gun sounds on Friday at 2:45pm.

"I am in a good shape and I just hope I'll be able to carry that form to tomorrow's (today's) final," said Mutai.

His compatriot Mureta was equally upbeat of Friday's final, saying Kenya's time had come to win.