Argentina 1 Nigeria 0: Fear is not a factor for boss Maradona

Diego Maradona has warned that his Argentina side will not fear any opponent at the World Cup in South Africa after they began their quest for a third global title with a victory.

The South Americans were 1-0 winners over Nigeria at Ellis Park on Saturday and the success could have been by a greater margin but for some superb saves from Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who lived up to his nickname of 'The Cat' and was hailed as a "phenomenon" by Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona star was denied time and time again by Enyeama, and while the lead remained just 1-0 there was always the prospect that the Africans could find a way back into the game, and they threatened more as the match wore on.

Maradona is six games away from equalling the achievement of Franz Beckenbauer in winning the World Cup as a player and coach, but the comparison to the German at this early stage of the competition seemed to amuse and bewilder him.

"Well I'm not similar at all, I don't look like Beckenbauer and I never will," he said. "To say that I could equal him I would have to make a prediction. I would have to have a crystal ball and be a magician, and I'm not a magician, I'm just a coach.

"We have to improve a lot of things to play that seventh match but I thought our men did a great job."

On the subject of having failed to convert so many openings he said: "We have been testing and practising many types of play, all my target men have been practising and in this game we weren't that lucky. Undoubtedly when you play in a World Cup, winning the first game keeps us cool and calm for the next match."

Defender Gabriel Heinze headed the early winner for the Argentines.