No African nation has exactly excelled but the Cameroon’s display has been probably the deepest low. Strongly-fancied with a stable set-up and a high-class manager, they performed lamentably against Japan, wasted a catalogue of chances against Denmark and became the first African nation to be eliminated. The recriminations have already started with Samuel Eto’o having already begun his campaign against manager Paul Le Guen.

The first team to qualify for the second round, meets the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup. The big question for the Dutch manager, Bert van Marwijk, is whether to risk Arjen Robben, who missed the opening two victories, or keep him fresh for the round of 16. The odds are that he will give the Bayern Munich playmaker some time on the pitch.

There is absolutely nothing riding on this match; Cameroon are a demoralised team who have failed to win their last nine matches; while Van Marwijk will be using the game for some fine tuning before the serious business begins. “We can do much better than we have in our opening matches,” he said: “I am taking this fixture very seriously because I want the players to show they have learned lessons.” Cameroon have been warned. Verdict: Holland to win.