TS Galaxy claimed their third away win of the DStv Premiership season after defeating AamaZulu FC a 2-1 win on Saturday evening.
After a hard-fought win over Tornado FC in the Nedbank Cup last 32, Usuthu re-called some their key personnel, including goalkeeper Veli Mothwa and Abbubaker Mobara.
Having just tied down coach Romain Folz on a three-year deal, Usuthu made the earlier forays and closed-in through a half-volley from way out by Dumisani Zuma.
The Rockets, though, went ahead after a quiet spell ten minutes ahead of halftime when Junior Traore beat Mothwa from the penalty spot after Thembela Sikhakhane committed a foul in the box.
Usuthu pushed towards the equaliser in the closing seconds of the first stanza with a long-range effort by Mobara, but the utility man dragged his wide of the bottom-corner.
Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic put on a change ahead of the second half, as Venezuelan Medina Rodrigues made way for veteran midfielder Lindokuhle Mbatha.
Mbatha made an impact ten minutes in from the break when he retrieved a loose ball in a dangerous area and delivered a telling ball to the back-post for Traore to head in the near post for his brace.
In an effort to change matters inside the closing quarter, Usuthu introduced Guily Manziba for Hendrick Pule Ekstein and pulled out Zuma to drop in Bonginkosi Ntuli.
The tempo thereafter dropped slightly, but the chances still arrived for the respective sides who weren't able to bulge the back of the net.
AmaZulu got one back five minutes from time when Sede Dion poked in from close-range after Keagan Buchcanan's shot bounced off a Galaxy player and into the path of the Ivorian.
Usuthu launched a number of balls into the Galaxy box in pursuit of the equaliser, but the visitors remained resolute and held on for maximum points to move up to seventh spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Zulu, Mobara, Buchanan, Bwalywa, Ekstein, Qalinge, Dion, Zuma
Subs: February, Gumede, Mabiliso, Mphahlele, Malepe, Kunene, Maluleka, Manziba, Ntuli
TS Galaxy: Kolak, Mahlangu, Sanoka, Nyama, Mbunjana, Parker, Mlambo, Medina Rodriguez, Traore, S. Mahlangu
Subs: Van der Linde, Mere, Phohlongo, Hlongwane, Aubaas, Mbatha, Mongae
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.