Kaizer Chiefs started the new year with a 1-0 defeat away to Cape Town City in Betway Premiership action on Sunday evening.
Christian Saile Basomboli replaced Pule Mmodi as the Amakhosi's only change from the win over Chippa United, while Nathan Fasika made his second debut for City after his spell abroad.
The start was promising for the Citizens who got out on the counter-attack having worked a turnover to have Darwin Gonzalez smash the resultant effort across the face of goal.
Chiefs responded swiftly where captain Yusuf Maart picked up a tightest of space around the area and worked a shot in, but City goalkeeper Darren Keet made the stop.
However, the Amakhosi got another clear opening from the head of Inacio Miguel from Mduduzi Shabalala's delivery, but went inches off target.
City enjoyed a strong closing spell with a succession of chances from point-blank range by Gonzalez and Namibian counterpart Prins Tijueza.
The Amakhosi were on the back-foot five minutes into the second half as Gonzalez picked up a defence-splitting pass on the counter from Thabo Nodada and finished with ease past Bvuma.
City nearly went further clear two minutes later following uncertain defending by the visitors, but Jaedin Rhodes dragged the subsequent effort beyond goal.
Noting the scenario, the Amakhosi looked to the bench as coach Nasreddine Nabi opted to bring on Ranga Chivaviro in place of Saile Basomboli.
Maart came to the fore again a little later in the hope to bring matters level again, but his effort from Mthethwa's assist didn't trouble the opposing number Keet.
The moments were few and far between for the Amakhosi who battled immensely to get any rhythm going and in the bigger context make a comeback.
In the end, the Citizens walked away with the maximum points to give new coach Muhsin Ertugral a perfect start, while Chiefs extend their winless run against City to six matches in the league.
Here's how they line up:
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Petrus, Gordinho, Nyama, Fasika, Nodada, Gonzalez, Tjiueza, Rhodes, Soukouna.
Subs: Oliaro, Domingo, Mokotjo, Ziba, Fisher, April, Ah Shene, Amato, Dondolo.
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Frosler, Miguel, Dortley, Ditlhokwe, Maart, Mthethwa, Saile, Duba, Shabalala, Du Preez.
Subs: Petersen, Kwinika, Cross, Blom, Zwane, Matlou, Vilakazi, Mmodi, Chivaviro.