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Bloemfontein - Roads around the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein were closed from early Tuesday morning and traffic police were out in full force in anticipation of the Bafana Bafana-France game later in the day.

Although no supporters were visible on the streets around the stadium on Tuesday morning, there was still a sea of green and yellow as hundreds of volunteers reported for duty.

The first of 120 buses carrying supporters were expected from 13:00.

The Bloemfontein Airport was also expecting an increase in air traffic for the day.

More than 60 aircraft, most carrying soccer fans, were expected to use the relatively small Bloemfontein Airport.

Airport manager Johan Scholtz said the airport was expected to run "full-time" from 10:00 to 22:00 on Tuesday.

Miracle needed

Both France and Bafana have one point from their two group matches played so far and need a miracle to progress in the tournament.

Both Mexico and Uruguay, which are in the same group, have four points.

If they draw their match, the result of the Bafana-France clash will not matter, but could decide which side finishes at the bottom of the group.

The French soccer team has been mired in controversy this week.

French players refused to train at their Knysna base over the weekend in protest against the French Football Federation's (FFF) expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka.

He was sent home after a heated row with the team coach at halftime in their match against Mexico in Polokwane on Thursday. Mexico won 2-0.

After visiting the team on Monday night, French Sport Minister Roselyne Bachelot told journalists in Bloemfontein that she reminded them that the French players' history would judge them after the game on Tuesday.

Both teams are likely to want to exit the World Cup 2010 with pride after the Bloemfontein game, which might be the best thing for soccer lovers looking forward to an excellent game.