AmaZulu made it back-to-back wins under Brandon Truter after overcoming Maritzburg United 1-0 in the DStv Premiership on Saturday.
Usuthu made three additions from their win at Baroka FC as Philani Zulu, Abbubaker Mobara and Xola Mlambo returned, while Genino Palace and Lucky Baloyi were recalled by United.
AmaZulu started on the back-foot and needed a scrambling block on the goal-line from goalkeeper Veli Mothwa to smother a deflected shot from outside the area by Palace.
The pendulum swayed to Usuthu's end with over ten minutes played as Lehlohonolo Majoro broke through the defensive line to go clear and put Marcel Engelhardt to a close-range save.
Last season's runners-up needed 21 minutes to go ahead albeit fortuitously as a low pass into the area bobbled around before Nicholas Lukhubeni charged and bundled past his own goalkeeper.
With Usuthu in firm control for much of the first spell, Maritzburg responded with four introductions in Amadou Soukouna, Nazeer Allie, Leletu Skelem and Rowan Human.
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Skelem looked to bring United to life five minutes after entering with a curling shot from a tight angle of the area after Usuthu struggled to deal with a second ball from a corner-kick.
Maritzburg remained on the ascendancy for a decent spell, but were fortunate not to go two goals down a little thereafter when Luvuyo Memela snapped an inviting chance wide of the mark.
The host continued to battle away in keen search of their second, but were time and again undone by ill-timed decision making in the area and hurried efforts amongst others elements.
Usuthu continued to battle away in the closing exchanges as did the Team of Choice, but it was the host who emerged winners at the end.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Mothwa, M.Gumede, Sikhakhane, Mobara, Malepe, Zulu, Memela, Kunene, Makhaula, Mlambo, Majoro.
Subs: Boshoff, Khumalo, Masilela, Buchanan, Moremi, Maduna, De Jong, Mthembu.
Maritzburg: Engelhardt, Claasen, Daniels, Baloyi, Pereira, Graham, Lukhubeni, Ritchie, Palace, Samu, Macheke.
Subs: Petersen, Human, Skelem, Allie, Soukouna, Njoti, Rae, Kewuti, Ndengane.