NAIROBI, Kenya -- It has all come to this point.

Victory today over hosts Kenya would secure a place in history for the Bermuda national team.

A loss, and the pressure would be on in the do-or-die third-place play-off where the winners would join the finalists in the 1996 World Cup.

Two years of hard work and sacrifice have led Bermuda to the semifinals of the ICC Trophy tournament. And while a victory at Aga Khan Sports Club would make it seem all worthwhile, Kenya are certain to be a difficult proposition.

They are only one of only two unbeaten teams in the tournament -- United Arab Emirates are the other -- and have grown in strength after an unconvincing first round.

Kenya's improvement appears to have coincided with the return to form of talented all-rounder Maurice Odumbe.

Odumbe scored only five runs in three innings in the first round, but struck a majestic century against Bangladesh in the second quarter-final group match.

He and Steve Tikolo, who scored a century against Bermuda in the warm-up matches, are the star attractions of a well-rounded Kenya team.

The last meeting between the countries resulted in a 61-run win for Bermuda in Holland in 1990 which was mere consolation after opening losses to Fiji and Bangladesh.

Kenya went on to reach the semifinals, thus their high seeding here, and have grown from strength to strength with the import of several Pakistani and Indian players, improving the quality of their domestic league.

Bermuda captain Albert Steede is hoping that Sunday's incredible loss to UAE was a "blessing in disguise.

"It was a difficult match to accept after scoring such a large total, but fortunately we had already qualified for the semifinals,'' he said. "It may be a blessing in disguise really because I think most of us would have preferred to play Kenya in the semifinals.'' A second semifinal will be played on Thursday between UAE and tournament top seeds Holland, who lost by two wickets to Kenya on Sunday.

Bermuda have made two changes from Sunday's team, with Bruce Perinchief coming in for Terry Burgess and Jeff Richardson replacing Arnold Manders. Kenny Phillip, who made a fine debut against UAE with two for 40 in nine overs, has been retained and will open the bowling with Anthony Edwards.

Edwards and Noel Gibbons are among the tournament leaders in wickets taken.

Edwards is joint second with 16 at an average of 13.38 (13th among those with five or more wickets) and Gibbons has 15 at an average of 17.93 (39th).

Bermuda's solid batting performances since the Hong Kong match are reflected in the averages with four players in the top 13.

Top of the heap is Charlie Marshall with an average of 164.00, followed in fifth by Dexter Smith (69.60), whose 348 runs are second highest. Dean Minors was also out for the first time on Sunday and now has an average of 54.00 that leaves him 11th. Clay Smith's 251 runs -- ninth highest in the tournament so far -- are at an average of 50.20 which leaves him 13th.

Bermuda's team for today: Dexter Smith, Albert Steede (captain), Clay Smith, Charlie Marshall, Noel Gibbons, Jeff Richardson, Clevie Wade, Dean Minors, Anthony Edwards, Kenny Phillip, Bruce Perinchief. Reserve: Del Hollis.

CHARLIE MARSHALL -- Leads ICC Trophy Tournament batsmen with average of 164.00.