Kaizer Chiefs closed their gap to Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United thanks to a superb goal by Ashley Du Preez at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs started the game brightly, with the players clearly keen to make their supporters forget about the recent disappointing performances against Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants.
The first real chance of the game fell to Mduduzi Shalabala, who returned to the starting XI as one of five changes by Arthur Zwane. He was set up perfectly by Christian Saile, but his shot from close range only hit the bar in minute 27.
Eight minutes later, Saile himself found himself in a decent position but his shot was blocked by the Chippa defence. The rebound fell to new Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart, who struggled to control the ball inside the box and the chance went missing.
Chiefs came close again in first-half injury-time when a cross by Reeve Frosler was almost deflected into his own net by Azola Ntsabi, but Junior Kazapua pushed it over the bar with a fine reflex.
Amakhosi continued to control the match but Chippa did better in keeping them away from dangerous areas in the beginning of the season half.
Maart had a great chance to run at Kazapua from the halfway line after 63 minutes, but he took too many chances and fluffed another great chance.
Du Preez, who looked dangerous throughout the game, finally found the opener in the 72nd minute, when his shot from outside the box beat Kazapua to the celebrations of the large crowd.
Shalabala had another great chance after being set up by Frosler, but he sent his shot from inside the box over the bar after 84 minutes.
Chippa had the ball in the back of the net following a corner in injury-time but the referee had already blown the whistle for a foul on Brandon Petersen.
The win sees Chiefs move to 44 points on the log, two behind Pirates, who have played a game less, and three behind SuperSport United.
