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Cape Town – South African police went on football hooligan alert on Friday ahead of England's "high-risk" match against Algeria.

Thousands of England and Algerian fans already had arrived in Cape Town's historic Waterfront for Friday night's sell-out game at the city's stadium.

Despite England fans' reputation for hooliganism, no major incidents were reported at last weekend's match against the US, and South African police have stepped up efforts to keep unruly fans from the stands.

The concern on Friday is that as a tourist magnet, Cape Town offers greater potential for crowds to get out of hand, especially with so many bars and restaurants clustered around the stadium.

"It's because of where we are. It's a tourist destination, there are bars, restaurants. It lends itself to large numbers of supporters," said English Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis, commander of the British police contingent travelling with the team.

Potential to get boisterous

"South African police have identified there's potential for sets of fans to get a bit boisterous. They have a plan to separate them out," he said.

About 30 000 England fans are expected at the game, but Cape Town police spokesperson Billy Jones said so far they've seen no problems, even after a heavy night of pre-match celebrations on Thursday.

"It's been identified as high risk," Jones said of the match. "We have over 1 000 members drafted in. It's a deployment in and outside the stadium, and also along the Waterfront."

A short hop from the stadium, the Waterfront hosts many of Cape Town's tourist-friendly bars and restaurants, sitting in sight of the landmark Table Mountain, where many fans are congregating before the match.

The manager of Dubliner bar, Philip English, said his pub was packed with fans from both sides last night with a late-night party that ran with all in good spirits.

"The Algerians broke a table, they were dancing so hard," he said. "If I sold less than 5 000 pints tonight, I'd be a disappointed man."

Hooliganism

Despite worries about the English reputation for hooliganism, the Argentines have been the biggest offenders so far.

South Africa has deported 28 known Argentine hooligans, with only one England fan turned away from the country – partly because Britain has stepped up efforts to keep them from leaving the country in the first place.

Security has dominated concerns about the tournament since South Africa was named hosts six years ago, with worries over the high crime rate as well as the still new public transport system.

Police have been forced to take over security at Cape Town stadium and three others, after stewards walked off the job in a dispute over their pay.

About 200 stewards showed up at the Cape Town offices of Stallion Security on Thursday to demand payment. Police had to fire stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

National spirit

The national spirit also dampened after Mexico beat France 2-0 in Polokwane, further dimming South Africa's hopes of making it past their group matches.

Fewer people were seen wearing Bafana Bafana shirts, which had become a Friday tradition to support the national team.

Newspapers encouraged supporters to rally behind the team.

"Win or lose, we must stand by our boys and be a gracious host," said The Star.

Business Day appeared resigned already, saying becoming the first World Cup host in history not to advance to the next round "won't be the end of the world and we won't think any less of the national side for if it happens".

"The point would be to remind South Africans of just what an incredible victory we have already achieved by hosting the World Cup."