Bologna signing Stephen Appiah has urged Inter Milan star Mario Balotelli to pledge his international future to Ghana.

The Black Stars want Balotelli for next year's World Cup.

And Appiah said: "Ghana is now a strong national team, but with Mario it would be even more so.

"We want to make a good impression in South Africa and if we were to have the chance to take a player like Balotelli why would we throw it away? But I don't know what he thinks about it.

"Our group is very united; envy and jealousy does not exist. There is no difference between those who play abroad or at home. We are all mature. No one would be angry.

"If Balotelli were to come and give us a hand, we would be happy.

"Aside from Balotelli, we are convinced of being able to get beyond the first round, then it's impossible to predict what happens.

"I am not the manager, but I think that Mario has the quality to be a potential starter; he has already shown his value across Europe, so even if he is still very young he has matured with an important experience on an international level."