Mexico insist they can go far at the World Cup ahead of a crucial Group A match against France in Polokwane on Thursday.

"We can be the revelations of this tournament," boasted midfielder Andres Guardado, whose deep cross created the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against hosts South Africa at Soccer City four days ago.

"There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us a chance of getting through to the next round or quarter-finals, we remain confident."

France and Uruguay played out a goalless draw later on the opening day of the first World Cup staged by Africa, leaving the four contenders with a point apiece ahead of the midweek second round of matches.

And whatever happens between Bafana Bafana (The Boys) and Uruguay in Pretoria 24 hours before, victory for Mexico or France would leave them powerfully placed to make the last-16 second phase.

Although criticising the underachieving French has become popular, left-side midfielder Guardado from Spanish club Deportivo la Coruna is having none of it.

"How can you underestimate a team that boasts footballers like (Yoann) Gourcuff, (Franck) Ribery and (William) Gallas and reached two of the last three World Cup finals?

"The host nation tends to do well at each tournament and Uruguay are always a threat especially having arrived in South Africa following some impressive warm-up victories."

French footballers seem unperturbed by poor warm-up results, government criticism of their five-star Western Cape base, and a drab draw with 10-man Uruguay.

Defender Eric Abidal from Spanish champions Barcelona came straight to the point when asked about Polokwane: "We have to play for a win against Mexico and nothing less."

He believes there is no cause for alarm, reminding reporters how Les Bleus (The Blues) struggled early on in Germany only to stun hot favourites Brazil en route to finishing runners-up behind Italy.

France could only draw with Switzerland and South Korea and were facing a second successive humiliating first-round exit from a tournament they won as 1998 hosts before defeating Togo 2-0 to advance.

"We have to step up a gear and make it out of the first round," said Abidal ahead of the second match staged at Peter Mokaba Stadium, one of five purpose built World Cup venues.

KEY TO MATCH

Franck Ribery (FRA) v Giovani dos Santos (MEX)

Most football followers know how good an attacking midfielder Ribery can be as he delivers touchline trickery down the left flank before cutting inside to deadly effect while the lesser known Dos Santos created havoc against South Africa with equally impressive skills only to be let down by tame finishing.

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