Ghana to offer Balotteli World Cup place

Ghana manager Milovav Rajevac is desperate to include Inter striker Mario Balotelli in his squad for next summer's World Cup finals and will meet the teenager next week.

Balotelli was born in Italy to Ghanaian immigrants and is currently representing the Azzurri at Under-21 level.

The 19-year-old 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.

“I will be in Europe next week and I will meet with Balotelli,” Rajevac told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I will leave for South Africa tomorrow and after the draw I will head for Europe.

 
"I have scheduled a series of meetings with my players who are based in the different European leagues.

"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.”

 
Ghana will play neighbour Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo in the group phase at the African Cup of Nations.