Kaizer Chiefs dropped to sixth spot on the Betway Premiership table after a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows on Sunday afternoon.
Following the impact off the bench against Stellenbosch FC, the host gave Tebogo Potsane and Mfundo Vilakazi starts, as Bradley Cross kept his spot in the starting line-up despite being taken off in the first half on Wednesday.
Amakhosi were put on the back-foot on four minutes as Angelo Van Rooi feed on a cutback by Keenan Phillips on the edge of the box before nudging wide of target.
Potsane showed loads of energy in possession in the opening-quarter and could've given the host the cushion with a rasping pull from a clever angle, but Ismail Watenga smothered.
Watenga was put to action once more as the half began to wind down and came off his line to court Njabulo Blom making the most of a cross in the box.
Chiefs continued to pile on the chances before the break with a through pass from Sibongiseni Mthethwa putting Mduduzi Shabalala in on goal, but the midfielder sent his effort wide of the target.
The Amakhosi made a double switch at the resumption for the second half where Reeve Frosler replaced Blom before Potsane made way for Ranga Chivaviro.
It didn't unsettle Abafana Besthende who took the lead ten minutes in when a spill in the area by Bruce Bvuma landed perfectly for Gladwin Shitolo to power in the top corner.
Former Arrows cog Pule Mmodi came inches to levelling matters with a smart effort a minute after coming off the bench, but the upright prevented him.
The Amakhosi still piled on the chances late on as Bradley Cross headed wide of the near corner after getting on the end of Nkosingiphile Ngcobo's free-kick.
Chiefs failed to overturn the tie in the closing minutes of the clash and saw Abafana Besthende to victory and fifth spot on the table.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Cross, Blom, Miguel, Ditlhokwe, Mthethwa, Maart, Potsane, Vilakazi, Shabalala, Duba
Subs: Petersen, Msimango, Frosler, Mashiane, Matlou, Zwane, Mmodi, Ngcobo, Chivaviro
Golden Arrows: Watenga, Shitolo, Phillips, S.Cele, Dube, Van Rooi, Mantshiyane, Ndwandwe, Sibiya, Mthanti, Moon
Subs: Maova, Theron, Lukhele, Dlamini, Ncube, B.Cele, Tlolane, Malinga, Zwane