LAUTOKA will miss the services of the two Nigerian signings Oparaemetuche Kenneth Onyema and Onumaku Ikechuhku Stanley during the opening round of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants in Labasa today.
This is after the duo failed to board the Air Pacific flight from Hong Kong.
A frustrated Lautoka Football Association president Shalendra Prasad said they had been forced to make alternate arrangements for the Nigerian players.
He said the players had returned to Dubai.
Prasad said the players would now be booked through Cathay Pacific.
"We have been running around for these players for more than two weeks and now there is a further delay," Prasad said.
"Alternate arrangements are being made by the player's agent to get them across to Fiji. It seems they will most probably arrive on Saturday.
"For now we have to just do without them."
Meanwhile, the Blues settled well in the northern town after arriving from a long trip.
The side will take on Navua at 1pm.
Veteran mid fielder Alvin Avinesh has been handed the captain's armband.
Prasad said the leadership role would be rotated.
He said they were aiming for a winning start.