Samuel Eto'o blow for Cameroon as Croatia face naked truth
After losses, a much needed victory for either side will allow them to forget their off-field troubles that have threatened to disrupt preparations
Cameroon and Croatia clash in Manaus looking to put their troubles behind them and keep alive their hopes of making the knock-out rounds.
Having lost their opening matches, victory would be fundamental in staying alive in a tough group A that includes hosts Brazil and Mexico.
But winning would also allow either side to forget off-field troubles that have threatened to disrupt their preparations.
I am hoping the gods grant me a miracle and that I am able to defend my dear, beautiful country
In the case of the Africans, that is the near certain absence of talismanic striker Samuel Eto'o owing to a knee injury.
"I am hoping the gods grant me a miracle and that I am able to defend my dear, beautiful country," Eto'o said.
"If this is not the case, I will always play my role as captain and especially as the big brother to push my young teammates to victory."
Eto'o's knee problem stems from the end of his club season with Chelsea. He says he has not been 100 per cent for months and from the start of the 1-0 loss to Mexico on Friday, he was in pain.