Betway Premiership debutants Orbit College started the season with a 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Monnapule Saleng was unsurprisingly thrown into the Orbit starting line-up while fellow new signing Kgomotso Mosadi was also included for his debut for the top-flight debutants.
For Usuthu, coach Arthur Zwane gave a debut to goalkeeper Darren Johnson after Richard Ofori picked up an injury in the defeat to Stellenbosch in the MTN8 last weekend.
It took a while for the game to open up, but the home side broke the deadlock on 24 minutes when Tebogo Mashigo saw his cross deflect into the back of the net, leaving Orbit goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane with no chance.
The men from KwaZulu-Natal were able to hold on to their lead heading into the break, as the home side were unable to take their chances in the final third.
Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye responded with his first change at the start of the second half by throwing on former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Given Thibedi in place of Thato Mohlamme.
Usuthu, however, continued to push for more goals in the second half as Mashigo continued to be a threat down flank as he did well to pick out Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, who saw his effort saved by Moerane.
Even with the introductions of Orlando Pirates loanee Thuso Moleleki and Lethabo Modimoeng, Orbit were still unable to breach the AmaZulu defence in the closing stages of the second half.
In the end, Zwane's charges held out until the final whistle to start their league campaign with three points, while the top-flight new boys start with a loss.
Orbit will be back in action on Wednesday when they host Siwelele FC, while Usuthu travel to Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday.
Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Orbit College: Moerane, Setlhodi, Jingana, Ndumiso Ngiba, Thabang Nhlapo, Potsana, Batsi, Mohlamme, Saleng, Mabele, Koapeng
AmaZulu: Johnson, Radebe, Hanamub, Fielies, Mthethwa, Allan, Hlangabeza, Zungu, Ngwenya, Mashigo, Ekstein