The ”Hand of God” may have nothing to do with it. But Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Trevor Phillips has more than a hand in the PSL’s initiative to bring Argentinian soccer icon Diego Maradona to South Africa as a special guest during a proposed international four-club tournament early in 2006.
Phillips revealed on Tuesday that plans are at an advanced stage for perennial Argentinian champions Boca Juniors, German champions Bayern Munich and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven to join a composite PSL XI in a four-team challenge in South Africa while the African Nations Cup is in progress in Egypt.
The tournament is the brainwave of Phillips, who believes it is essential to give local soccer followers the opportunity of watching top-level soccer ”live” during the six-week break in PSL fixtures while the African Nations Cup is taking place in Egypt.
Phillips is also involved in the negotiations to bring soccer legend Maradona to South Africa along with the Boca Juniors team with which he was associated for many years during his playing career.
Classified by many as the second-greatest player of all-time — behind only the incomparable Pele — the high-profile Argentinian has shed his controversial image in recent months, lost a considerable amount of weight, kept in rein his notorious drug addiction and hosted a popular talk show in Buenos Aires.
Although often categorised as synonymous with the dubious ”Hand of God” goal during the 1986 World Cup en route to Argentina winning the prized trophy in Mexico, it is often overlooked that the other goal Maradona scored in a 2-0 quarterfinal win over England is generally regarded as one of the greatest in World Cup history.
”He has never been to South Africa as far as I know,” said Phillips, ”and his presence here would add glamour to the event to keep live soccer alive here while Bafana Bafana and numerous other foreigners participating in the PSL are busy in Egypt.”
The local event will be staged at a time when many of the countries in Europe are in the midst of a mid-winter break and might welcome a spell in the sun. — Sapa