MARADONA: THE HUMAN CANNONBALL !

If Diego Maradona had transformed into a human cannonball and fired himself out of the stadium in Cape town on Saturday, Argentina's exit from Africa 2010 could not have been more self-explosive. A 4-0 drubbing at the hands of a rapier-like, merciless young German side left the South-Americans appearing at the final whistle like they had just come off a traumatic rollercoaster ride.
A game won in midfield where Javier Mascherano found himself outnumbered countless times as the Germans swarmed around and past him like fleas devouring a dead dog. Players like the prodigious Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger performed not just with great finesse but a determination that was both grim and a sight to comprehend.
That Argentina have tried to play in the correct manner is beyond doubt, but at this heady level where the merest detail becomes all consuming, Maradona's insistence on all out attack proved the South Americans downfall. Argentina's latest 'Messiah' Lionel Messi was hunted down in packs by Joachim Loew rapacious team.
Forced ever deeper in order to make an impact Messi was reduced to a mere shell of his true self. Indeed he finished the match in floods of tears with Diego Maradona having to consoling him in the dressing room afterwards and promising '˜you'll be back kid'˜.
Whether Maradona carries on as coach after such a crushing defeat remains unlikely. The Argentine press have been kind and there appears little criticism in his homeland over what is by Argentine standard, a devastating scoreline. He has hinted at stepping down after describing the defeat as a '˜kick in the head'. An emotional Maradona spoke of the final whistle as '˜the hardest moment of my life'.
In Argentina there will almost certainly be no media campaign or public backlash to get rid, such is the high esteem and indeed love that still exists for Maradona. It will be left as a personal decision. Diego Maradona will be missed at Africa 2010 and it is sad to think that he may well now retire and disappear off the international scene. However once the pain eases and the crowds once more chant his name 'El Diego' may well find it hard to resist one last shot.

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