Knowledge Musona's 16th minute free-kick goal was sufficient for Kaizer Chiefs to secure a 1-0 win over Bidvest Wits in Polokwane on Saturday night.
In truth, however, the prolific Zimbabwean goal-grabber should have had a first-half hat-trick, in what was ultimately an intensely fought game, after squandering two gilt-edged opportunities.
He then failed to score again with a rasping 25-metre drive in the 83rd minute that thundered against the crossbar.
After a tepid, negative performance in the first half, Wits displayed more enterprise and purpose after the interval and had several inviting opportunities to score an equaliser, in what ended a narrow win for Amakhosi.
The three points gained enabled Chiefs to hold onto their fourth position in the table after suffering disconcerting successive defeats against promoted Vasco da Gama and Free State Stars.
Nonetheless, they still trail pacesetters Mamelodi Sundowns by seven points - and they will not make up much leeway if they continue to squander opportunities that are put on a plate for them.
The adroit Musona was not the only culprit, with Reneilwe Letshoonyane, Josta Dladla and Abia Nale all finding themselves in positions where it seemed easier to score than miss.
For all this, the Clever Boys' youthful line-up deserved credit for coming back strongly and giving Chiefs a battle royal for the three points.
Wits were up in arms when referee Jerome Damon penalised goalkeeper Darren Keet and gave Amakhosi an opportunity to score the all-important, early breakthrough goal.
And the defensive wall that Musona penetrated for his priceless strike was hardly of a professional nature and left Keet frustrated and flat-footed while going the wrong way.