Kaizer Chiefs were handed their first loss of the season as Polokwane City claimed a 1-0 win at the FNB Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Saturday evening.

Chiefs came into the game off the back of a great start to their league campaign with three wins and a draw from their opening four games, which put them top of the Absa Premiership standings.

Amakhosi, however, hosted a Polokwane City side who were also full of confidence after they carried last season’s good form into the new campaign.

Chiefs looked to start the game on the front foot by trying to control the tempo of the game through their possession.

The visitors, though, silenced the FNB Stadium crowd as they took the lead in the 16th minute after Daniel Akpeyi committed a foul in the box, which gave Jabu Maluleke the chance to fire home from the penalty spot.

Ernst Middendorp’s charges went in search for an instant response and Erick Mathoho had two opportunities in quick succession with 30 minutes gone, but he couldn’t add to his early-season goal tally.

It was all Chiefs for the remainder of the half, but they were finding it difficult to break down Rise and Shine who were disciplined and resolute at the back as they took the 1-0 lead into half time.

Khama Billiat and Dumisani Zuma were brought on after the break as Middendorp looked for a response from his team.

The game quickly fell into the same pattern as in the first half, with Chiefs dominating the ball while Rise and Shine were doing their best to break any momentum the home side attempted to build up by going down injured at every chance possible.

George Maluleka came close to equallising for Chiefs in the 80th minute but his long-range effort was tipped over the bar by a diving Mwenya Chibwe.

Time ticked on and, while Chiefs threw bodies forward, they were struggling to create any clear-cut chances until Billiat was picked out in the box in the 88th minute, but Chibwe made the save from point-blank range.

Samir Nurkovic thought he should’ve had a penalty in the dying seconds after he hurdled over the outrushing Chibwe, but the referee did not agree with the Serbian striker.

The full-time score was 1-0 as Chiefs were handed their first loss of the campaign.