Manic Maradona is no Cup sideshow

A veritable goldmine of soccer talent was on display at Ellis Park when former champions Argentina opened their World Cup campaign. But throughout Argentina's defeat of Nigeria a roly-poly, bearded bundle of arm-waving anxiety threatened to steal the show.

If Argentina's line-up of soccer superstars had been in any doubt, they will not be now -- on the World Cup stage nothing grabs the cameras quite like Diego Maradona.

Captain and goalscorer Gabriel Heinze, Juan Sebastian Veron and even world player of the year Lionel Messi were all reduced to supporting roles as Maradona ranted and raved on the sidelines, orchestrating his players like a man possessed.

"I had many emotions. I threw kisses to my daughters and I spent some time with my grandson before the game," coach Maradona bubbled afterwards.

"Today being the (national) team's coach was a great feeling, very beautiful. I want to thank all the people who supported me and who didn't forget that I once too scored a goal in the Argentine jersey."

Photographs: Reuters

Even before kick-off, the 49-year-old former maestro, now sporting a beard flecked with grey, grabbed all the attention by hugging the Nigerian players in a pre-match stroll on the pitch at the Johannesburg stadium.

During the pre-match stroll, he stepped over advertising hoardings to blow kisses to his daughter and grandson, whose father is Argentine forward Sergio Aguero.

Maradona reappeared at the start of the game dapper in a grey suit and tie, but his sober attire was never going to cramp his style or cloak a clearly visible state of nervous tension.

From kick-off, he alternated between dancing around with excitement and prowling the touchline like a big cat at the zoo.

When Heinze scored Argentina's first and only goal in the game's sixth minute, he skipped several metres on to the pitch, blazer flapping, and pumped his fists like an overgrown schoolboy.

Despite his antics during the game, Maradona was all calmness and philosopher during the post-match news conference.

"There are a lot of emotions, a lot," he said. "Being in the stadium, being the coach of the national team ... it's a beautiful feeling.

"We won a great game and we are on our way. I hope our boys are able to use all that affection from the Argentine people and those who were in the stadium today to keep playing better.

"When you win a game and start to consolidate you get a good taste for victory. It happened to us (Argentine team) in 1986 (when they won) and 1990 (runners-up). They will feel the need to win every day as each game passes."

On Wednesday, after Argentina beat Greece 2-0 in their last group match, Maradona launched into a heartfelt defence of his players.

He said the media who had criticised the team and players during the qualifiers when things were not going well for his team should apologise.

"Everything a lot of you said, you were wrong You even showed a lack of respect for these players... (and) should apologise to these players because they give everything on the pitch, because they are 100 percent professional.

"We're doing our duty, we're defending the Argentine colours which we've always done.

"These same players were in the qualifiers. Anybody can make a mistake but I'd love it for those on the other side to say sorry."

Maradona was suspended by FIFA for two months last year for a foul-mouthed rant at reporters on the night his team secured their place at the finals.

He and the players were the butt of strong criticism for poor results that nearly ended in Argentina missing the finals for the first time since 1970.

He also questioned fair play at the World Cup after Lionel Messi was treated to systematic fouling by Greece Tuesday's win.

"The famous fair play doesn't exist (here), let's make it effective once and for all," Maradona said.

"Because if each time Messi gets the ball they bring him down, what are we playing at?" he asked at the post-match news conference.

"After repeated fouls, take out the yellow card to the third (player) who hits Messi, and you'll see that defenders don't hit him any more.

"Why didn't the referee do that? It's in the regulations, man."

Maradona returned to the World Cup stage as Argentine coach 16 years after his last cap -- also against Nigeria -- in the United States. He was sent home soon afterward for failing a doping test.

"It's all new this time. You have to make decisions very quickly. This is the World Cup and everything happens to you like it's Formula One," he said.

During his playing career, he stole the limelight at the 1986 World Cup with his infamous Hand of God goal against England and eight years later in 1994 for his stunning exit after testing positive for ephedrine -- something he has blamed on an energy drink.

This time he is high on World Cup fever alone!