Ghana wants to offer Balotelli WC spot

(GSM) – So far, he has failed to grab a spot in the Italy national team but Mario Balotelli might still play on the World Cup in South Africa. Ghana coach Milan Rajevac has told La Gazzetta Dello Sport he wants to persuade the youngster to chose for his parents’ native country.

Balotelli was born nineteen years ago in Italy to Ghanaian immigrants and is currently representing the Azzurri at Under-21 level. However, he isn’t a regular starter for his club Inter Milan and therefore he hasn’t received a call up from Italy boss Marcello Lippi. Balotelli has insisted he remains committed to his ‘adoptive’ country, but hinted last summer that he would consider the opportunity of making his World Cup bow with Ghana.

Rajevac is desperate to include the 19-year-old in his squad for next summer’s World Cup finals. “After the World Cup draw I’ll go to Europe. I have a series of meetings planned with my players in the European (domestic) championship and my intention is to speak with Balotelli,” Rajevac told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“And I plan to speak to Balotelli. I have discussed it with the President and the Vice President of the Ghanaian Football Association and they have given me the green light.

“My plan is to go to Bologna and meet with our captain, Stephen Appiah, and have him accompany me to Milan to see Mario and (Sulley) Muntari.

“I am happy with the strikers I have, but Balotelli’s qualities are extraordinary. He is very, very good.”