Defender Peter Mponda did not feature for Santos when they lost 3-2 to Moroka Swallows just like midfielder Dave Banda who was out of the Black Leopards team that lost 1-0 to Orlando Pirates.
SuperSport United leading striker Atusaye Nyondo was also missing from the team match sheet as United drew 1-1 with Free State Stars.
Strikers Chiukepo Msowoya was an unused substitute for his new team, Platinum Stars, who lost 3-2 to Ajax Cape Town.
Despite not playing, Msowoya was happy to have made the bench for the first time this season after a frustrating first-round spell at Pirates.
“It felt good to be on the bench although after staying for months in the terraces, it would have been better to play. But, like I said, when I came here, it will not be automatic to break into the team. I have to work hard and you will soon see me in action,” he said.
Midfielder Tawonga Chimodzi started for Santos, but was taken out five minutes into the second-half whereas Robert Ng’ambi was a 76th minute substitute for Platinum Stars.
Moses Chavula was the only one who played a full game and had a chance to score only to see his effort cleared on the line as his Amazulu lost 1-0 to Sundowns.
In the National First Division (NFD), strikers Jimmy Zakazaka and Peter Wadabwa scored a goal each.
Zakazaka increased his tally to six as his team African Warriors drew 1-1 with Carara Kicks who featured Jacob Ngwira and Sankhani Mkandawire. Wadawa scored the equaliser for Thanda Royal Zulu as they drew 1-1 with Vasco da Gama.
The development comes after Flames coach Kinnah Phiri has given the foreign-based players two games each to impress at club level to be considered for the Flames trip to Chad on February 29.
