The former Belgium international experienced first-hand the noise of the Azteca during the 1986 Finals in Mexico, where he played in the Red Devils' opener against the hosts.

Broos is bracing for more of the same on Thursday in a game that he regards as pivotal to South Africa's chances of advancing beyond the group stage.

"There will be a big crowd and there will not be so much South African support," Broos said. "So that is a big help for them (Mexico).

"They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that, if we are not too influenced by the noise of 85,000 Mexicans, then we can have a good game."

Broos believes Mexico are the team to beat in Group A.

"I think they've won nearly all of their last 10 games," Broos said. "So they'll be a team with confidence...they're the best team in the group.

"So tomorrow it will be a very tough game. We need to be at our best level, but I can assure you our team is ready to fight for every metre and every ball."

Mexico have played in seven FIFA World Cup opening matches but have never won one - a run that head coach Javier Aguirre said he was determined to put right.

"We have to break the statistic," Aguirre said. "I didn't know that fact; I’m going to share it with the players. It will be another source of motivation."

On Thursday, Aguirre will relive the experience of playing a World Cup on home soil 40 years after doing so as a player in 1986.

"Since I arrived 22 months ago, I have had no greater emotion than experiencing a World Cup at home again," said the 67-year-old coach.

Source: AFP