Eric Tinkler came back to haunt his former side as Sekhukhune United defeated Cape Town City 2-1 in Betway Premiership action on Sunday evening.
Venezuelan Darwin Gonzalez made a landmark 100th appearance in the colours of City, while Vuyo Letlapa, Lehlohonolo Mtshali and Samkele Sihlali completed Babina Noko's changes from the extra-time loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
No easy start showed for United, who had to make a substitution in the opening ten minutes with Vusimuzi Mncube removed for Khulekani Shezi.
The situation didn't affect them but urged them to take full flight and so it came when development graduate Sihlali capitalised on poor defending to make the breakthrough.
City looked to get back on level terms before halftime, with Amadou Soukouna coming close with a shot from outside the box, but he fluffed his lines.
Nigerian-born Chibuike Ohizu doubled the lead minutes to the break through a simple finish from the heart of the area from Letlapa's cross.
The home team continued to show courage on the stroke of halftime and nearly halved the tally through Jaedin Rhodes but his ventures was courted effectively.
City made a double substitution before the start of the second half, introducing Kayden Francis for Soukouna before Gonzalez made way for Kamohelo Mokotjo.
Eric Tinkler's boys were reduced to ten players as Khulekani Shezi got his marching orders for seemingly dangerous play.
Citizens got a lifeline during the midway point of the half when substitute Francis got a yard of space in the box and dispatched a pin-point cross from Rhodes.
Babina Noko weren't under threat but had a decent chance to regain their two-goal cushion through Letlapa late on, although snapped his lines.
In the end, the visitors were able to run down the clock and secured the win to maintain third spot and dent City's fight against relegation.
Confirmed line-ups:
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Gordinho, Idumba, Nyama, Petrus, Amato, Makaringe, Darwin, Soukouna, Rhodes
Subs: Oliaro, Domingo, Bezuidenhuot, Goedeman, Mokotjo, Nodada, Dondolo, Francis, Serero
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Langa, Letlapa, Mogaila, Tshibwabwa, Mtshali, Monare, Mncube, Rammala, Sihlali, Ohizu
Subs: Sangare, Ngakosso, Ngcobo, Shezi, Mbule, Kapinga, Mohamme, Sithole, Boyeli