Nigeria, June 14 -- A diplomatic row has overshadowed Ghana's World Cup preparations after the government formally protested Canada's refusal to grant a visa to midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of the Black Stars' opening match.

With Ghana set to begin their Group L campaign against Panama in Toronto on 17 June, the absence of one of the team's most experienced players has become a major talking point just days before kick-off.

On Saturday, Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that the government had lodged an official protest with Canadian authorities over the refusal of Partey's visa application.

In a strongly worded statement, Mr Ablakwa described the move as "high-handed" and "extremely unfair." It...