Chiefs made a host of changes from their Telkom Knockout exit over the weekend to Orlando Pirates, with Virgil Vries and Kabelo Mahlasela handed a starting berths in a total of seven changes.
The Soweto giants almost took an early lead when a corner from Lebogang Manyama trickled off the goal-line to Willard Katsande at the back post, but his outstretched effort went over the top.
It took only seven minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Khama Billiat’s perfectly placed free-kick crept into the bottom corner.
Colombian forward Leonardo Castro could’ve extended the lead with a free-header from a cross by Billiat, but he nodded the effort over the bar after 12 minutes.
Zimamoto quietly tried to get back into proceedings, but were let down by poor movement in the final third.
The Amakhosi still controlled the match and Castro came close to adding a second, but a good goal-line clearance prevented him.
With Billiat thumping home a second from outside the box following a loose ball, the goal was disallowed by the match officials for a foul on the goalkeeper Anissor Salim.
At the other end, Zimamoto threatened an equaliser with their first shot on target, but Vries stood his ground despite needing two attempts to do so with efforts from Salem Mohammed.
Castro was not having a good day in front of goal, missing yet another clear header following another good delivery from Manyama.
Chiefs made the first change minutes into the second half with the introduction of Hendrick Ekstein. It was a change that proved crucial as Ekstein set-up Castro who played in Billiat for his brace.
The Glamour Boys continued their dominance though, despite a few half-hearted attempts by the Tanzanians.
In the 68th minute, Mahlasela made it three with his first goal since joining the club as he curled home a good pass from substitute Bernard Parker.
A foul on Teenage Hadebe by Ibrahim Ahmad led to a penalty for Chiefs. The evergreen Billiat stepped up to complete his hat-trick with a flat-footed finish from 12-yards.
In closing out the clash, the Phefeni side slowly strutted their stuff whilst drawing out the pace of the game for a comfortable first-leg victory.
Chiefs: Vries, Cardoso, Mathoho, Hadebe, Ntiya-Ntiya, Katsande, Manyama, Andrianarimanana (Ekstein 53'), Mahlasela, Billiat (Zuma 76'), Castro (Parker 68').