Phil Lythell
Sport News 24/7Maradona the star attraction as Argentina tackle Africa
By Phil Lythell, on 8th December 2009, 12:55 UTC
Diego Maradona will return to the FIFA World Cup on June 12th when his Argentina side take on Nigeria at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
Argentina may get the odd sensation of deja vu that day when they come up against an African team playing in Green. In 1990 a goal from Cameroon's Francois Omam-Biyik condemned the defending world champions to a 1-0 defeat in the opening match of the tournament and only the inspiration of Maradona and Claudio Caniggia dragged the Albicelestes through their group and ultimately on to the final.
A topsy turvy-qualifying campaign that saw their controversial coach call up an incredible 78 different players was finally wrapped up with a 1-0 win in Uruguay that preceeded a quite extraordinary press conference in which Maradona insulted journalists and made obscene gestures.
But having qualified, his team must be one of the favourites to lift the trophy. With the talents of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero at their disposal they will be very tough to best.
Nigeria are currently the highest ranked team in Africa though the Super Eagles did not have it all their own way in qualifying. The spine of their team though is strong with Joseph Yobo at the back, John Obi Mikel in midfield and a strikeforce of Yakubu and Obafemi Martins. They will be both physical and skillful and while they will not win the tournament they could prove to be a major obstacle to those with real aspirations.
South Korea will be hoping to recreate the performances that took them all the way to the semi-final in 2002 but they will have it all to do if they are to get out of Group B. A talented side they certainly are but it seems like they will struggle physically amid a group full of muscular teams.
Greece have qualified for their first World Cup since 1994 and now as then they find themselves drawn alongside an Argentina outfit led by Diego Maradona. While the great man cannot now play and score against them as he did in the USA, Greece will know they will have to be at their best of they are to make the second round.
Prediction: Argentina top the group ahead of Nigeria - but only just.
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