Two breathtaking first half goals against the local Black Stars of Ghana were just what Maradona needed to pep up his boys for a place in South Africa 2010. The exclusively local Argentine side, even without Ariel Ortega, were a delight to watch, or that their local Ghanaian opposition were just an emasculated side in an International Friendly played Thursday. Martin Palermo drew the large crowds at the Cordoba Stadium in Buenos Aries Stadium cheering with a stunning left volley from a teasing cross on the left flank, after just 27 minutes. But the Albiceleste should have been more devastating. They drew rings around the visitors, and left the Stars no option than to hack them to the ground to gain possession. Suffice to say, the local Stars were completely overwhelmed, with perhaps an extinct chance of any the playing body, except goal keeper Philemon McCarthy, being drafted into the regular Black Star side. The Hearts of Oak goal keeper made several brave saves to deny the Argentines, but was completely beaten again in the late embers of the first half from a Palermo stupendous header. Matin Palermo soared above two Stars defenders, Ofosu Appiah and Lee Addy, and knocked the ball with his head, leaving McCarthy no option than to watch the arrow trail of the ball enter the yawning net. Back from recess, and perhaps from a lot of reprimand, the Stars accepted the challenge and were at least able to string few passes together. Introductions of Abraham Annan, Jordan Opoku and Karim Alhassan brought some live back into the Stars but still did not pose any meaningful threat to the Argentines. Abraham Annan on few occasions made his trademark runs and immaculate crosses on the left, but there was no attacking presence to connect. Maradona’s charges also lifted their foot off the peddle, playing more individually than the team work exhibited in the first half. The match ended 2-0 in favour of Argentina, a relief to Maradona after a chain of poor results in the qualifiers but the threat of not making it to the World Cup, the first time since 1970, still looms large. On the contrary the Black Stars have already booked a place in South Africa and will be pushing to make a better than their first appearance Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana