In the 26th minute of the match, Kalmar goalkeeper Jakob Kindberg lunged for the ball but instead only struck the feet of the home player, Bersant Celina. Referee Adi Aganovic did not hesitate and pointed to the penalty spot.
From the penalty spot, Hove himself converted.
As the game went on, AIK's back line dropped deeper, but Kalmar failed to create a chance that might have earned them a point.
"I think they (Kalmar) were better than us in many ways. I'm happy with the three points, but we have to be a little critical of ourselves," AIK coach José Riveiro told TV4 Play after the 1-0 victory.
The loss is the newcomers' third in a row, while "Gnaget" now has seven points after three rounds.
