Group E's bottom two teams face off on Saturday knowing a win is essential if they are to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Denmark and Cameroon lost to Holland and Japan respectively in their opening games and will be desperate to secure three points if they are to have any chance of overhauling their rivals going into the final game.

Cameroon have much to prove after putting in one of the most dismal performances of the tournament so far, with a complete lack of incision in the final third their downfall against a well-organised Japanese side.

Coach Paul Le Guen has been criticised for his insistence on playing captain Samuel Eto'o on the right-hand side, despite the Inter Milan striker's standing as arguably one of the world's best in his position.

The decision to leave out Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, as well as experienced campaigners Rigobert Song and Geremi, also came under fire.

Cameroon arrived at the tournament looking one of the most likely African nations to make the latter stages but like South Africa and Nigeria, they have failed to live up to their billing and have not won any of their last eight games.

Denmark impressed in the first half of their 2-0 defeat to Holland, but also appeared to lack a cutting edge up front, especially after the departure of Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, who was substituted through injury.

The Danes would appear to be favourites for this encounter in Pretoria, certainly showing more attacking impetus in the opening game and having never lost a match to an African side in the World Cup finals.

However their reliance on old heads such as Martin Jorgensen, Dennis Rommedahl and Jesper Gronkjaer has shown a lack of development in a team that has arguably seen better days.

Both countries certainly enjoyed their finest hours in the 1990s, with Cameroon becoming the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1990, when they were eventually beaten 3-2 by England.

The Danes enjoyed their best success by reaching the same stage in 1998, when they were beaten 3-2 by Brazil, but they have yet to bring through any players as successful as Michael and Brian Laudrup and Peter Schmeichel, who guided them to success in the 1992 European Championship.

Whether Le Guen will change tack to accommodate his more seasoned players and Eto'o in a central role remains to be seen, but after midfielder Achille Emana openly criticised the French boss and appealed for the younger players to make way, he may have no choice.

"They cannot withstand the sort of pressure that comes with playing in big tournaments such as the World Cup," Emana said.

"That is why we are appealing to the coach to review the line-up for Saturday's game against Denmark."

Denmark coach Morten Olsen, on the other hand, does have some fitness doubts ahead of Saturday's match.

Strikers Jon Dahl Tomasson (thigh) and Mikkel Beckmann (toe) have had to train alone and face late tests to decide whether they can take their place on the substitutes' bench.

Bendtner is still struggling with a groin problem after his withdrawal against the Dutch, but Olsen is still hopeful he can start the 22-year-old as the spearhead to his attack.

Palermo defender Simon Kjaer (knee) and midfielder Daniel Jensen (Achilles) are doubtful despite completing full training sessions this week and they also face a race to be fit.