PRETORIA, South Africa — Nine days into the first World Cup on African soil, the Lost Continent has become the Loss Continent.
A record six African teams were invited to this year's tournament, and through 11 games, they've combined for just one win — and that victory, by Ghana, came on a penalty kick after a questionable hand-ball call.
The latest loss came Saturday night when winless Cameroon, expected to breeze through group play, fell to Denmark 2-1, becoming the first team officially eliminated from contention for a spot in the second round.
At least Cameroon scored its first goal. Algeria and Ivory Coast have yet to do that.
To be fair, injuries have played a big part in Africa's struggles. Ghana, whose only two scores have come on penalty kicks, is without midfielder Michael Essien and missed defender Isaac Vorsah in Saturday's 1-1 tie with lowly Australia.
Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel won't play at all in South Africa, while a broken arm has limited Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba to 24 minutes.
But that alone can't explain six losses and four ties in 11 games during which African teams have been outscored 12-5.
Nor does it explain the last World Cup, when African nations won just three of 16 matches. Or 2002, when they won four of 17.
"It's very difficult because the (other) teams are very good," said Paul Le Guen, Cameroon's French-born coach. "We were not good enough. But I don't want excuses. It is not enough for me."
Cameroon led for a time, with Samuel Eto'o scoring in the 10th minute Saturday. But Nicklas Bendtner matched it for Denmark in the 33nd minute.
The goal that ended Cameroon's World Cup came 16 minutes into the second half on a counterattack after a strong Pierre Webo shot hit Danish keeper Thomas Sorenson in the stomach.
Denmark immediately sent the ball the other way, with Dennis Rommedahl streaking down the right wing, cutting inside defender Jean Makoun and letting go a curling shot that eluded Cameroon keeper Hamidou Souleymanou to the far side.
Africa's next chance for a win comes Sunday night when Ivory Coast meets Brazil.
kbaxter@tribune.com