Diego Maradona (Gallo Images)

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Johannesburg - Argentina coach Diego Maradona said that no person should fear for their safety during the 2010 World Cup finals which kicks off on June 11 at Soccer City, south of Johannesburg.

Argentine superstar Maradona a legend in his playing career and who lifted the World Cup in Mexico in 1986 said he was overwhelmed by the friendly people he had met in his five day stay in Pretoria.

Maradona said: “There is no need for anyone to be afraid of coming to South Africa to watch or play in the World Cup. I believe it will be a fantastic experience. I have been impressed by the security and organisation I have witnessed while here and I am looking forward to coming back with my team in June.”

His message to the other 31 teams in the finals and to all those who have doubted South Africa’s ability to host a successful and safe Word Cup was: “Just come here and play. There will be no problems.”

Maradona was speaking at an impromptu press briefing after inspecting the new multi billion rand Soccer City Stadium which will host the opening World Cup match between Bafana Bafana and Mexico on June 11 and the final on July 11.

Maradona was accompanied by the CEO of the 2010 Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan was smiling with some positive publicity after enduring hostile media attacks from foreign journalists following the attack on the Toga national team in Cabinda, Angola prior to the African Nations Cup finals in Angola two weeks ago.

Jordaan said: “I am delighted that a soccer superstar has come to see for himself and has publicly declared his support for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He is a special player and his endorsement of our Word Cup has again dispelled any fears about security at the World Cup. I keep repeating myself that security is not a major issue for the LOC. We have matters well under control.”

Maradona impressed the workers with his friendly attitude and showed some of the ball skills that made him a superstar during his playing career.

Maradona who played 91 times for Argentina and for Italian club Napoli and Sevilla in Spain was blown away by the new Soccer City Stadium.

Maradona said: “I have played in many stadiums but this is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I hope to be back here (on July 11) for the World Cup final.”

Maradona (49) arrived in Johannesburg on Monday morning to media frenzy. He is here to run the rule over training facilities, stadiums where Argentina will play in the World Cup and to book accommodation for his squad.

But while here he took time out to visit under privileged children in the various Pretoria townships and Soweto.

Maradona said that he was quietly confident that Argentina would qualify for the World Cup final.

He said that in Barcelona ace Lionel Messi, the FIFA World Player of the Year, Argentina have the player to drive his side into the final on July 11.

The former superstar said: “I believe Messi could become the greatest player at the 2010 World Cup.”

Jordaan said that what had impressed him about Maradona was that he was down to earth.

"A lot of soccer personalities like to come here to be wined and dined but Maradona is not like that.

"He visited Soccer City straight after a soccer clinic in Orlando East with school children and was prepared to go and meet the youngsters of Joburg and Pretoria.

"He is a people’s person and said to me that he enjoyed meeting South Africans and said he would take his positive message back to Argentina when he leaves for home on Friday.”