It is a case of last chance saloon for Cameroon and Denmark when they meet in a Group E clash at the Loftus Versfeld stadium today.
Having lost their opening matches, both sides know that defeat in their second game of the group stage could spell the end of their interest in this year's tournament.
If the Netherlands and Japan were to draw in the other group game, then a defeat would see either Cameroon or Denmark eliminated.
But with two rivals already on three points, anything other than a victory will leave either side still with a mountain to climb in order to reach the knock-out phase.
And that's something that has not been lost on Indomitable Lions midfielder Enoh Eyong Takang who believes the Africans must improve in many areas from their opening 1-0 defeat to Japan.
"It really is a do-or-die game. We must win it if we want a chance to progress," he said.
"The atmosphere in the squad is good and we're now looking forward to that game, while not forgetting the errors we committed in the match against the Japanese. We have to get the strike force going. We will have to score on Saturday."
That was something they failed to do against the Japanese despite dominating the second half.
Cameroon looked impotent in attack against a team that was considered by far the weakest in the group.
One reason for that was coach Paul Le Guen's decision to play star forward Samuel Eto'o wide right, a position he excelled in under Jose Mourinho for Inter this season.
But Cameroon are not Inter and Pierre Webo, who played through the middle, is not on the same level as Diego Milito, which made Le Guen's decision even harder to comprehend as Eto'o was anonymous throughout the match.
And speaking to French TV channel Canal Plus, Eto'o left no mystery as to his feelings that his coach had made a mistake.
"At the end of the World Cup, Paul must answer to the officials. And me, as a player and captain, I must do the same," he said.
"I played where the coach wanted. I gave it everything and I tried to put my team-mates in good positions to do their job.
"I am the best scorer in the history of the Cameroon national team because I play in a certain position (central striker). But if the coach says 'Samuel, you can help the team in this position,' then I believe it's something I must do."
Denmark are in an equally precarious position having lost their opener against the Netherlands 2-0.
They weren't helped by an own goal from Daniel Agger but coach Morten Olsen said they have to forget that game and quickly focus on challenges ahead.
"We still have two important games," he said.