Kaizer Chiefs finished the year in seventh position on the Betway Premiership table following a 1-0 victory over Chippa United on Sunday evening.
After needing a last-minute equaliser against TS Galaxy, the Amakhosi made just one change from that match as Pule Mmodi came in for Njabulo Blom.
Chiefs were keen to get going in earnest with a header by captain Yusuf Maart, but Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali produced fine a save.
More moments steered for the Soweto giants before the half-hour mark and saw Thatayaone Ditlhokwe shoot wide of the mark following a free-kick.
Having made a decent start, the Chilli Boys lost a bit of rhythm in the closing stages as the momentum continued to favour the men from Naturena.
Chippa coach Kwanele Kopo was required to make a substitution ten minutes to halftime with Baraka Majogoro on for Ayabulela Konqobe.
The earlier dominance came through for the host as Mduduzi Shabalala weaved past three players in the box before firing in off Nwabali.
Kopo opted a double switch at the break for the visitors and introduced Elmo Kambindu for Xolani Sithole while veteran Andile Jali made way for Sirgio Kammies.
Bafana Bafana international Rushwin Dortley looked to add five minutes in with a header off a corner by the goal-scorer Shabalala, but failed to hit target.
Shabalala looked to bag a brace just moments after following a speculative strike outside the six-yard area, but went wide of the opposite number.
Chippa regained momentum following the difficult spell and threatened a response when Thabang Malaoa shaved the top corner with a galloping header.
The Chilli Boys came close again a while later when a ball into the area found the head of Sinoxolo Kwayiba, who headed against the upright.
In an attempt to stabilise matters, the Soweto giants introduced Ranga Chivaviro for Mmodi before sacrificing Duba for Mfundo Vilakazi.
However, no further goals came despite the chances either end leaving the men from Naturena to victory and seventh-placed on the table as Chippa dropped out of the top eight.
Confirmed line ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Frosler, Miguel, Dortley, Ditlhokwe, Maart, Mthethwa, Mmodi, Duba, Shabalala, Du Preez.
Subs: Ntwari, Kwinika, Mashiane, Zwane, Ngcobo, Blom, Vilakazi, Saile, Chivaviro.
Chippa United: Nwabali, Ndlovu, Maloao, Makhele, Modise, Konqobe, Jali, Baloni, Sithole, Kwayiba, Eva Nga.
Subs: Johnson, Mqokozo, Chabalala, Kambindu, Kammies, Madengwana, Ntsabo, Philander, Majogoro