News bulletin from South Africa

Speaking ahead of today's Group B encounter against South Korea, Maradona said Pele should "go back to the museum" and claimed UEFA president Platini thinks he "is better than all the rest".

Pele was quoted as claiming Maradona had only taken on his current post because he needed work and the money prompting the Argentinian's retort that he should "go back to the museum".

Maradona also hit back at Platini over reported negative comments by the Frenchman about the 1986 World Cup winner's coaching ability, saying: "Platini? I'm not surprised, I've always had a very distant relationship with him, it's always just hello and goodbye, nothing more than that.

"Platini believes he is better than rest."

GROUP B: Otto Rehhagel, at 71 the oldest coach in South Africa, is not ready to return home just yet.

The German is determined to drive Greece to victory over Nigeria today and rekindle their hopes of progressing to the last 16.

A 2-0 defeat by South Korea in the first match continued the Euro 2004 winners' dismal World Cup record. Greece have lost all four games they have played in the finals and have failed to score and have conceded 12 goals.

Yet Rehhagel, who led the nation to unexpected glory at the Euro 2004 six years ago, is convinced they can turn things around and said: "We have to play to our full potential and give everything."

GROUP A: France captain Patrice Evra has dismissed claims there is disharmony within the squad.

Amid criticism from former France legend Zinedine Zidane for their lack of teamwork – following Friday's 0-0 draw with Uruguay – and rumours of training ground rows, Evra insisted there was a good team spirit ahead of today's crucial clash against Mexico in Polokwane.

"Since the first day you could feel this team was closely-knit and after each training session there are little gestures that cannot lie," said Evra.