Kaizer Chiefs failed to boost their CAF Champions League hopes following a 2-1 defeat to Swallows FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune made a long-awaited return for the Amakhosi following Brandon Peterson's suspension, while Kagiso Malinga continued to lead the Swallows attack.
Swallows hit the front seven minute in after Gregory Damons beat Njabulo Ngcobo to a long ball and burst clear to see his initial shot blocked by Khune before slotting home on the second attempt.
Khune was involved the thick of action again seven minutes later when he put his body on the line to thwart Malinga's close-range header at the back-post following a corner-kick.
The Amakhosi were back on level terms midway in the first half after Christian Saile Basomboli got on the end of Mduduzi Shabalala's free-kick and poked in at the far-post.
Chiefs, though, trailed again on the half-hour mark when Bongani Sam found space on the near side and re-directed a wayward overhead kick by Keagan Allan past Khune.
The Glamour Boys came close to drawing level again five minutes to halftime through a snap shot in the box by Ngcobo, but Allan blocked the effort into touch.
Former Swallows duo Dillon Solomons and Kgaogelo Sekgota came on for the host around the opening quarter of the second half with a comeback the aim.
The Glamour Boys battled to cut open the defence though were let in minutes before time when substitute Wandile Duba snapped a penetrative ball wide.
There was a lengthy stoppage late in the encounter as Swallows' Allan needed medical attention after taking a blow to the head, although the defender was able to walk off the pitch with the assistance of the medical team.
Chiefs launched another scare in the last seconds through a curler from Ashley Du Preez, but Akpeyi palmed and led his side to successive wins and a top eight berth
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Frosler, Hlanti, Njabulo Ngcobo, Ngezana, Maart, Shabalala, Sithebe, Du Preez, Mashiane, Saile.
Subs: Bvuma, Mathoho, Kwinika, Solomons, Alexander, Matlou, Zwane, Duba, Sekgota.
Swallows FC: Akpeyi, Sam, Lukhubeni, Allan, Mthethwa, Patjie, Damons, Mtshali, Mngonyama, Malinga, Shwabule.
Subs: Mbanjwa, Sibiya, Macheke, Musonda, Isaacs, Uromi, Ngwenya, Sasman, Rusike
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