Ghana coach offer Balotelli World Cup slot
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has announced his ''special'' plans for the Inter Milan whizkid Mario Balotelli in his squad for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa after receiving the backing of the Ghana Football Association.
Balotelli was born in Italy to Ghanaian parents but has faint hopes of playing for the Azzuri despite representing at the 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."
Rajevac wants a wide pool of players as Ghana seek to improve their second round feat at the 2006 finals in Germany.