Pretoria - Ernst Middendorp's reign at Chippa United got off to a losing start as AmaTuks beat the Chilli Boys 2-1 in an Absa Premiership encounter at Tuks Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Atusaye Nyondo and Denver Mukamba helped University side up to eighth place on the log standings, Chippa meanwhile slip to ninth.
The teams were greeted onto the pitch by heavy rain with the Pretoria summer still in full effect.
AmaTuks dominated the opening exchanges with Mukamba, who filled in for the suspended Thabo Mnyamane, forcing Mbongeni Mzimela into a couple of early saves.
Geoffrey Massa then saw his effort from close range go just wide of goal in the 19th minute. The burly forward did well to round the Chippa gloves-man, but the Ugandan international was unable to hit the target from a tight angle.
Nyondo opened the scoring in the 35th minute following a goalkeeping blunder by Mbongeni Mzimela. The Chippa United goalkeeper failed to deal with Thabo Mosadi's effort, leaving Nyondo with an easy tap in to register his fifth goal of the league season.
The Chilli Boys were the better side either side of the break with the Port Elizabeth outfit levelling matters eight minutes into the second-half.
Half-time substitute Erick Chipeta lost his marker before nodding Andile Mbenyane's free-kick past Washington Arubi at the back post.
AmaTuks would regain the lead in the 57th minute through Zimbabwean Mukamba, the on-loan midfielder with a superb first time effort from the edge of the area, 2-1.
Mukamba's effort proved to be the winner as AmaTuks extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches. Chippa subsequently have yet to beat the Pretoria outfit in top flight action.
Scorers:
University of Pretoria (1) 2 (Nyondo 35' Mukamba 57')
Chippa United (0) 1 (Chipeta 53')
Teams:
University of Pretoria: Arubi; Kekana, Shoyisa, Jaure, Ngubane, Ntombayithethi, Ketjijere, Mosadi (Chenene 86'), Mukamba (Matsi 60'), Nyondo (Zwane 75'), Massa
Chippa United: Mzimela, Cloete, Okwuosa, Komane, Zulu (Chipeta 46'), Moholo, Uzochukwu, Twala, Shai (Mtule 78'), Mbenyane, Akpabio (Cele 84')