Thomas Partey will not be on the pitch when Ghana kicks off their World Cup campaign. The Arsenal midfielder has been denied a Canadian visa, and an appeal against that decision has now been turned down, confirming he will miss the team's opening match.
The reason behind the refusal is pointed: Partey reportedly misled Canadian immigration officials about a previous arrest. That kind of omission is taken seriously at the border, and in this case it has cost him his spot in the squad for what should have been a major moment in his international career.
For Ghana fans who had been counting on the midfield anchor to set the tone early in the tournament, the news is a real blow. How the Black Stars cope without one of their most experienced players in that crucial opener is the question everyone is now asking.
Originally published by BBC Africa.