Johannesburg - Mexico coach Javier Aguirre has told reporters that he will encourage his players to attack France in Thursday’s Group A clash.??

The winner of the match in Polokwane would join Uruguay on four points, whilst a draw would ensure that qualification for both teams, as well as South Africa, would need to be settled in the final round of group games.

"I have spoken to all of them over the last few days, I have repeated and talked to them (about scoring)," Aguirre said.

"Look at Switzerland. They had two chances, scored one and won the game. We had eight opportunities in the first half of our first match [against South Africa] and did not convert.

"We insisted to the players that they concentrate on the game all the time, from first to 90th minute. By insisting and stressing you have to score it is a consistent drip and it is psychologically influencing them to do that. So I keep reminding them how important it is to score.

"We will play tomorrow like it is our last match. I don't know how many goals we can score but we will certainly look at testing France's goalkeeper."

France will be equally keen to take all three points from today’s fixture as their final group game pits them against a South African side that will need to win to stand any chance of progression.

"We do not want to go into our last game having to beat the home side on their turf," said captain Patrice Evra, although no doubt fans of Bafana Bafana will hoping that that's exactly what happens.

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