Ghana's hope of convincing striker Mario Barwuah Balotelli to play for the Black Stars has been dashed after new Italy coach Cesare Prandelli named the player among his 23-man squad to face Ivory Coast in an international friendly.
The Inter Milan striker has turned down several opportunities to play for the Black Stars including an opportunity to make his World Cup debut in South Africa.
Balotelli, born to Ghanaian parents, has always expressed his desire to play for Italy.
However, Coach Cesare Prandelli’s task to build a strong team to revive to the Azzuris after a disappointing campaign in the World cup has named a number of young talents in his first task in charge of the team.
Mario Balotelli will be the first player with African descend to play for the Italian national team.
Balotelli has played several times for the Italy youth teams and is expected to make his debut on 11 August in London.
If he is fielded in the match against Ivory Coast, he will ineligible to play for Ghana.