One of Ghana’s renowned sports journalists Michael Oti Adjei is courting Ghanaians to ‘pardon’ the seeming lackadaisical attitude of the Ghanaian born, Italian international Mario Balloteli to play for Ghana. Mario has sworn to play for the Azzuris of Italy despite consistent overtures by the Ghana Football Association to play for the Black Stars. His feet dragging has angered many Ghanaians who are beginning to question his commitment to play his heart out even if he changes his mind to play for Ghana. His latest decision to consider playing for Ghana if Marcello Lippi continuously sidelines him in the Italian team has not calmed nerves either. If anything, it has heightened criticisms from fans that Ghana cannot be second fiddle to any country. In an interview with Joy News’ Nathaniel Attoh on Monday, Michael Oti Adjei said he perfectly understands the predicaments of the 19 year old striker, born by Ghanaian parents and raised by Italian guardians. “We as Ghanaians pushed our side of the argument very well but I am just wondering how many of us will feel Ghanaian if I was born and bread in, say England, and I have lived there my whole life and I had no association with my Ghanaian parents and I wasn’t raised in a Ghanaian community and I don’t speak the language and I don’t know the land. It will be difficult for me to consider myself full blooded Ghanaian,” he explained. He said the Italians are doing the Ghanaians a huge favour with their ‘no black Italian chants’ against Mario Balloteli. Balloteli, he said is a symbol of racial integration in Italy, but having been considered surplus thus far despite his raving performance, and the continuous racial chants against him, he doubts if that integration will see the light of day. On the contrary, he believed Balloteli will be loved and adored by the Ghanaian fans once he makes the switch. He acknowledged efforts by Coach Milovan Rajevac to draft him into his side knowing too well the depth, and his deadly set pieces he brings to the team. Oti Adjei was also full of praise for Portmouth and Ghanaian bound Kevin Boateng who has made his intention clear to play for Ghana ahead of Germany. At the age of 17, he declined playing for the Black Stars in the 2006 World Cup claiming to be too young to make a decision. At 22, Kevin has not minced words about his desire to play for the Stars in the Nations Cup in Angola in 2010. Oti Adjei lauded his quality of passing he brings to the Ghanaian game and believes he will add lots of options to the Ghana midfield. “The quality of those two players (Boateng and Balloteli) is undeniable,” he said. Play the attached audio for excerpts of the interview with Oti Adjei Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana