Marumo Gallants reclaimed top spot in their CAF Confederation Cup group after defeating USM Alger 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon.
Gallants showed one change from the 2-0 loss to USM in their last clash in the group two weeks ago and had them drop Edgar Manaka in favour of Lucky Mohomi.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa raced to a seventh minute lead after Mohomi charged from the middle of the park and played a low pass in the area for Lesiba Nku to fire in from point-blank range.
Following the lead, the host were forced into a substitution a few minutes later as a hamstring pull cut short Lehlohonolo Nonyane's outing and entered Thato Khiba.
USM looked to draw level immediately after going down, but their succession of corner-kicks weren't able to penetrate the defence of their South African adversaries.
The North Africans camped continuously around the defensive-third of Marumo ahead of halftime and pushed the host into their own half and presented them no forward impetus.
USM Algers continued to go in total search of the equaliser minutes at the start of the second half, but struggled to get through the lines of the DStv Premiership outfit.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa didn't lose their heads but soldier on in the last 15 minutes and extended their tally through a stern finish around the six-yard area by Letsie Koapeng.
It happened to be the latter's last contribution as the man at the helm Raymond Mdaka decided to haul him out and bring on veteran Manaka.
The change didn't affect the home side's momentum as they registered the win after running down the final minutes and edged closer to a spot in the quarter-finals.
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