Vusumuzi Vilakazi finally picked up his first win in charge of Chippa United after beating Orbit College 1-0 at Olympia Park on Saturday, 24 January.
Vilakazi had gone winless in his opening five matches at the helm since replacing Luc Eymael in October, but the Chilli Boys started the new year on the front foot after Justice Figuareido's 60th-minute goal settled the contest in Rustenburg.
The Eastern Cape outfit drew their final two games of 2025 against Siwelele and Kaizer Chiefs, while the Mswenko Boyz were looking to snap a run of four successive defeats, which left them just two points above the danger zone in 14th place.
Both teams had their chances in the first half, with the visitors threatening early on when Boy Madingwane forced Dumsani Msibi into a save after just six minutes before Azola Matrose struck the side-netting from a free-kick.
The best opportunity for Pogiso Makhoye's side came on the stroke of halftime through Lethabo Modimoeng, who tested Dumisani Msibi from an angle inside the box.
Chippa introduced Figuareido at the start of the second half, and they looked dangerous from the get-go as Boy Madingwane cut inside and unleashed a shot that was saved by Nkomo.
But it was Figuareido who made the telling impact on the hour mark when he raced onto a long ball and powered his way past two defenders before slotting home past Nkomo.
Sinoxolo Kwayiba nearly doubled the Chilli Boys' advantage late on with a first-time strike from range that worked Nkomo, although the one goal was enough to lift them off the foot of the table.
Orbit College 0
Chippa United (0) 1 (Figuareido 60')
ORBIT COLLEGE: S. Nkomo, T. Jingana, T. Nhlapo, R. Mphahlele, K. Mkhabela, B. Ralani (A. Lukhele 80'), R. Potsana (P. Mahlangu 57'), A. Batsi, T. Moleleki (G. Khoto 69'), L. Modimoeng (M. Wagaba 80'), L. Mahlatsi (S. Mabele 57').
CHIPPA UNITED: D. Msibi, H. Majadibodu, S. Seabi, A. Mobara, B. Madingwane, A. Konqobe (J. Figuareido 46'), G. Mosele, M. Modise, A. Matrose (S. Kammies 67'), S. Kwayiba (S. Ndlovu 80'), B. Eva Nga (A. Bonani 80').