AmaZulu extended their unbeaten run to three matches in the Betway Premiership after defeating Marumo Gallants 2-0 on Friday night.
Usuthu were unchanged from the team that started the 2-2 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in midweek, while Gallants gave Zimbabwean Junior Zindoga a start.
The bright start saw the host urgently on the charge, with Wayde Jooste close to making the breakthrough from Rowan Human's delivery.
It didn't stop there as new signing Elmo Kambindu looked to make it two goals in two matches when he nodded a cross from Human narrowly off target.
Tshepang Moremi was inches to ensuring the deadlock after he saw his free-kick from the area come off the upright.
Marumo were energised after the underwhelming phase, with their first shot in anger coming from outside the area through Khumbulani Ncube.
Human, who made a bright start, grabbed the opening goal when he picked up a swift counter-attack to the area and finished with aplomb.
Kamohelo Mahlatsi, who also featured in the loss to Richards Bay FC, came on ahead of the second half in place of Daniel Msendami.
AmaZulu didn't lose momentum but were extremely close to a second when Moremi arrowed a delivery from Jooste narrowly off the top corner.
Jooste took matters in his own hands midway through the contest and rose unmatched in the area to guide in Riaan Hanamub's cross.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa remained energised and threatened to pull one back when Monde Mphambaniso nodded a delivery to box narrowly wide.
The attempts to get back continued, but the men from KwaZulu-Natal held firm and collected the win to move up to sixth spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Hanamub, Fielies, Mphahlele, Motshwari, Moremi, Esktein, Zungu, Kambindu, Human
Subs: Mothwa, Gumede, Ngobeni, Mngonyama, Ngema, Sithole, Brooks, Mbanjwa, Ighodaro
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Sikhosana, Ncube, Chabatsabe, Nthatheni, Manaka, Msendami, Nmtajela, Mphambaniso, Mhango, Zindonga
Subs: K.Mlambo, Mahlatsi, Sithole, Nange, Prins, Mokobodi, Mathiane, Mabotja, X.Mlambo, Wagaba