Kaizer Chiefs lost out on the Toyota Cup for the second year in a row after a defeat to Asante Kotoko on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Fresh from their tour of the Netherlands, the Amakhosi gave starts to new signings Thabiso Monyane, Nkanyiso Shinga and Flavio Da Silva.
The Amakhosi pushed a solid start with a fierce shot from range by Glodly Lilepo, but goalkeeper Mohamed Camara managed to make the save.
At the other end, Kotoko came close to taking the lead when a looping header in the area from Henry Ansu forced Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen to palm over.
Chiefs continued to ramp up the chances though and came close again when a header by Da Silva following a corner-kick flew inches wide.
Lilepo remained enterprising inside the interval where he came short to the six-yard box to get in a first-time shot, which sailed over the target after some neat passing.
Chiefs made a triple substitution before the second half, with Wandile Duba, Pule Mmodi and Mduduzi Shabalala coming on for Da Silva, Thabo Cele and Mfundo Vilakazi.
Duba showed a lot of energy after entering and came close to breaking the deadlock with a snap shot from the right of the area, but he was denied by the upright.
More chances came the way of the host who courtesy of an unforced error nearly got rewarded through an own-goal, but Ansu cleared off the goal-line.
Chiefs handed another off-season signing in Siphesihle Ndlovu a debut in the closing quarter and sacrificed Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
The Soweto giants got a chance to seal victory with a penalty in the final five minutes after Mmodi went down, but Inacio Miguel scooped well wide.
As no winner emerged in regulation time, a tense penalty shoot-out followed but Kotoko emerged victorious after Camara parried the decisive kick from Miguel.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, McCarthy, Miguel, Shinga, Monyane, Mthethwa, Cele, Lilepo, Ngcobo, Vilakazi, Da Silva
Subs: Bvuma, Frosler, Zwane, Hlongwane, Matlou, Cross, Solomons, Chislette, Mmodi, Sirino, Nkgwesa, Shabalala, Duba
Image: Kaizer Chiefs
