Maradona, the toast of Ellis Park

JOHANNESBURG: Diego Maradona made a winning return to the World Cup fray for the first time since dramatically failing a drugs test at USA 1994. The superstar manager of Argentina was the toast of Ellis Park in Johannesburg last night as hisu00a0 side claimed full points in their opening clash.

A controversial choice as Argentina's coach, the legend with a pirate beard and bejewelled ears prowled the sideline all through the match, hands firmly behind his back.But remarkably, it was the first time as Argentina coach that Maradona donned a suit for his role in the dugout.

Argentina's most prodigal son was in a relaxed mood before the match, telling reporters who quizzed himu00a0 about surprises on the teamsheet: "Theu00a0 surprise is me. I am the only surprise in this whole team."

Italian striker Giampaolo Pazzini has taken aim at the standout symbol of South Africa's World Cup - the vuvuzela.

"They make anu00a0 incredible racket," complains the Sampdoriau00a0 striker. Some fans have expressed annoyance at the blaring drone from the plastic African trumpet, but most have taken it to heart.

Hundreds of visiting fans have been carrying them along and practising the art of blowing, which comes so naturally to the home spectators. Pazzini is not happy.
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"I am pretty worried, as yesterday during the warm-up test there wereu00a0 only three, but they made an incredible racket. I can only imagine what it'll be like with 30,000. It may not look like it, but a football pitch is like a marketplaceu00a0 full of people shouting important instructions and the referee'su00a0 whistle.

"If all this is drowned out by the sound of the vuvuzelas, then itu00a0 can be a problem. We'll have to be even more focused andu00a0 concentrated."

Italy set out to defend their crown on Monday against Paraguay. Brazil's players are banned from displayingu00a0 religious t-shirts during the World Cup, a spokesman for the teamu00a0 confirmed. Rodrigo Paiva confirmed FIFA have told them they areu00a0 prohibited from displaying anything of a private, religious oru00a0 political nature."They have asked us to obey the guidelines," Paiva told media.

Brazil clash with North Korea at Ellis Park on Tuesday. There have been several occasions in previous Worldu00a0 Cups where Brazil's players, most notably current superstar Kaka, have unveiled 'love Jesus' messages on their jerseys.

France's right fullback Bacary Sagna seems bent on winning the most ridiculous hair award in Southu00a0 Africa.The Arsenal defender sported blond braids that evoked bombshell Bo Derek when Les Bleus took on Uruguay in their opener at Cape Town.