JOHANNESBURG: On Saturday, Diego Maradona made a return to the World Cup. This is familiar territory for him. He entered the post-game press conference chomping on an apple.
As he heard one of those questions that he's heard a million times before, even though this is different because he is manager and all, he took a huge bite of the fruit.
It was vintage Maradona. Suddenly he remembered he's the manager - he took the field in a suit, actually not recognizable at first - and not wanting to be seen as impolite, instinctively covered his mouth as the question carried on.
Immediately, it became the talking point of the World Cup till Robert Green, England's goalkeeper stole that with his sharp goal-letting against the US later. "I think we played really well," said Maradona. "The ball just refused to go in. It was incredible. And credit to the Nigerian goalkeeper for his performance. If we had won by two-three goals, you would have said we had a great match. I think we couldn't show on the scoreboard what we did on the pitch. That's football," he said.
Argentina have swept South Africa with their opening show against much-respected Nigeria. The second of the half-dozen African teams here who began their campaign were scared off the park by a hypnotic Messi and mates. It was as if the Argentines went Boo! and Nigeria scampered away, with Vincent Enyeama hanging on since the ball belonged to him. It is all still taking some sinking in.
"I fear no one. Never did unless I am wearing a mask. This game is about wins, losses and draws. It isn't about fear," he said about his World Cup debut. After Saturday, everything seems like falling into place.
Argentine journalists later spoke of how complete and hungry Messi seemed both in body and intent. "It was a potent sign," they felt.
Maradona admitted it was a plan to let the boy loose from Game One onwards, to allow him a feel of the ball. "Football's worth watching if he has the ball," he said, adding, "Taking the ball away from him is like taking chocolate from a kid."
Brazil are still to kick off their World Cup, and so are Spain and while England's performance drew the tournament's sniggers, it is Argentina they are raving about.
On Sunday, radio show hosts spoke of how the throb and noise of the Argentinian drums had actually drowned the vuvuzela. The host country had no problems in admitting that they had been upstaged.
In hotel lobbies and restaurant, they offered a sympathetic hand to Nigerian fans the morning after. The Nigerians in turn, offered to support South Africa from now on. "Yes, we are friends now," offered the local. It indicated a lingering regional rivalry that could be forgotten for the sake of United Africa now.
For Maradona, it is an emotional return 16 years after he had to quit the world stage after testing positive for a banned substance at USA 94. "I went through a lot of emotions today. I met my grandchildren, my daughter and kissed her. I went to 2006 as a fan and to be at the World Cup as Argentina coach, is truly an incredible feeling. I thank everyone who supported me and thank them for remembering that I too once scored a few goals for Argentina."
Was it the footballer in the man still speaking? But, wasn't he a manager now, and all set to emulate Franz Beckenbauer (and Mario Zagallo) who won the World Cup both as a player and manager?
Maradona heard the question, regarded it. Like the fruit he chewed on it awhile, then rolled his eyes and said: "I don't think I look like Beckenbauer. Never will."
Then he smiled, didn't wink because he is manager and all. "We are two different people," he continued. "It's just that we won an important match today. We need to improve a lot to win the next six...."
As he heard one of those questions that he's heard a million times before, even though this is different because he is manager and all, he took a huge bite of the fruit.
It was vintage Maradona. Suddenly he remembered he's the manager - he took the field in a suit, actually not recognizable at first - and not wanting to be seen as impolite, instinctively covered his mouth as the question carried on.
Immediately, it became the talking point of the World Cup till Robert Green, England's goalkeeper stole that with his sharp goal-letting against the US later. "I think we played really well," said Maradona. "The ball just refused to go in. It was incredible. And credit to the Nigerian goalkeeper for his performance. If we had won by two-three goals, you would have said we had a great match. I think we couldn't show on the scoreboard what we did on the pitch. That's football," he said.
Argentina have swept South Africa with their opening show against much-respected Nigeria. The second of the half-dozen African teams here who began their campaign were scared off the park by a hypnotic Messi and mates. It was as if the Argentines went Boo! and Nigeria scampered away, with Vincent Enyeama hanging on since the ball belonged to him. It is all still taking some sinking in.
"I fear no one. Never did unless I am wearing a mask. This game is about wins, losses and draws. It isn't about fear," he said about his World Cup debut. After Saturday, everything seems like falling into place.
Argentine journalists later spoke of how complete and hungry Messi seemed both in body and intent. "It was a potent sign," they felt.
Maradona admitted it was a plan to let the boy loose from Game One onwards, to allow him a feel of the ball. "Football's worth watching if he has the ball," he said, adding, "Taking the ball away from him is like taking chocolate from a kid."
Brazil are still to kick off their World Cup, and so are Spain and while England's performance drew the tournament's sniggers, it is Argentina they are raving about.
On Sunday, radio show hosts spoke of how the throb and noise of the Argentinian drums had actually drowned the vuvuzela. The host country had no problems in admitting that they had been upstaged.
In hotel lobbies and restaurant, they offered a sympathetic hand to Nigerian fans the morning after. The Nigerians in turn, offered to support South Africa from now on. "Yes, we are friends now," offered the local. It indicated a lingering regional rivalry that could be forgotten for the sake of United Africa now.
For Maradona, it is an emotional return 16 years after he had to quit the world stage after testing positive for a banned substance at USA 94. "I went through a lot of emotions today. I met my grandchildren, my daughter and kissed her. I went to 2006 as a fan and to be at the World Cup as Argentina coach, is truly an incredible feeling. I thank everyone who supported me and thank them for remembering that I too once scored a few goals for Argentina."
Was it the footballer in the man still speaking? But, wasn't he a manager now, and all set to emulate Franz Beckenbauer (and Mario Zagallo) who won the World Cup both as a player and manager?
Maradona heard the question, regarded it. Like the fruit he chewed on it awhile, then rolled his eyes and said: "I don't think I look like Beckenbauer. Never will."
Then he smiled, didn't wink because he is manager and all. "We are two different people," he continued. "It's just that we won an important match today. We need to improve a lot to win the next six...."
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