AmaZulu secured the 2023 KZN Premier's Cup after defeating Richards Bay FC on penalties at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
Usuthu re-called Celimpilo Ngema, Tshepang Moremi and Olwethu Mzimela to the eleven, while Richards Bay gave Neil Boshoff a start in addition to Austin Dube installed as skipper.
Kaitano Tembo's boys were under a great deal of pressure early on and conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position following a foul on Msindisi Ndlovu, but the effort didn't cause problems.
Usuthu continued seeing the better of the play around the half-hour mark and saw Augustine Kwem struck the woodwork through a smart attempt.
The side, who debuted in the DStv Premiership last season, didn't allow Usuthu to have it all their way but did on a few occasions come in their own with star man Sanele Barns leading the way.
However, AmaZulu continued to have the lion share of chances after halftime as well as territorial ball retention though still failed to get a breakthrough.
Richards Bay were given a scare shortly after the break when a clever supply from Thembela Sikhakhane rolled in space for Ngema, but the latter battled to get in a shot.
Ngema was at the heart of another move moments thereafter through a set-play deep in the other half, but Boshoff thwarted the resultant effort executed by Abbubaker Mobara.
Coach Pablo Franco decided to liven up the attack a little to the latter stages where Nigerian forward Kwem was removed from the park and had Bonginkosi Ntuli take his place.
The Natal Rich Boys maintained a stubborn approach to frustrate Usuthu ahead of fulltime and penalties were needed to decide the winner of the match.
In a tense shoot-out which had the lights at the venue go off, Mzimela was the hero for Usuthu as he produced a save in sudden-death before Sikhakhane went on to dispatch the winning kick.
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