Life without Gavin Hunt began for the Amakhosi, who went with a front-two of Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro against Abafana Besthende who missed Nduduzo Sibiya due to suspension.
Early nerves though nearly allowed Arrows in as Knox Mutizwa beat the offside trap to work goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma to a point-blank save from a point-blank strike.
It was Abafana Besthende that struck first on 21 minutes after Eric Mathoho failed to keep out a close-range finish from Michael Gumede.
The Soweto giants almost had an immediate response from a corner-kick, but neither Leonardo Castro nor Willard Katsande managed to get a loose clearance over the goal-line.
Katsande somewhat atoned following the half-hour mark as he intercepted a loose ball before going on to deliver a low cross for Lebogang Manyama to apply side-footed finish.
Chiefs could've had the lead from a close-range opportunity by Daniel Cardoso five minutes to the break, but he blazed Eric Mathoho's cutback over the top.
Abafana Besthende were back in front after 62 minutes when Mathoho sent a curling delivery from a free-kick by Mutizwa past his own goalkeeper.
Chiefs drew level again after eleven minutes through a toe-poke finish from Manyama following a surging ball through the area from Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
Manyama completed the hat-trick with 12 minutes to go after he picked up another ball from Ngcobo to apply a solid close-range finish.
A substitution from interim coach Arthur Zwane followed eight minutes from time, as Njabulo Blom came on for Katsande.
Bvuma made a stupendous save at the death from a curling strike by Lindokuhle Mtshali to aid his side to victory.
Chiefs: Bvuma, Zulu, Cardoso, Mathoho, Frosler, Katsande, Baccus, Parker, Manyama, Nurkovic, Castro
Subs: Akpeyi, Mphahlele, Agay, Kambole, Blom, Sasman, Ngcobo, Mashiane, Radebe
Arrows: Mlungwana, Sibisi, Lunga, Zuke, M.Dube, Parusnath, Ndwandwe, Mmodi, Mutizwa, M.Gumede, Makhubela.
Subs: Mbaeva, L.Dube, Ndlovu, Shitolo, Phiri, Mathiane, Mtshali.