AmaZulu got back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership following a 1-0 victory over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon.
Sabelo Sithole, Nqubeko Dlamini, Brandon Theron and Knox Mutizwa were welcomed back by Arrows, while Sandile Mthethwa, Hendrick Ekstein, Tebogo Mashigo, and Etiosa Ighodaro returned for Usuthu.
However, Theron’s time on the field was short-lived as an injury forced the full-back to make way for well-travelled Thabo Matlaba, who made his debut for Arrows.
Abafana Besthende still got a chance to go ahead before the half-hour mark through a header by Mutizwa following a free-kick, but he missed target.
Usuthu were still very much in the contest and a link-up between Riaan Hanamub and Ben Motshwari led to a chance, but Arrows goalkeeper Edward Maova gathered.
There were more chances that went the way of Usuthu just before the break, but Hanamub and Ighodaro failed to make it count as the first half finished goalless.
AmaZulu’s eagerness to find the opener remained, as Ekstein dragged a pass from Mashigo wide of the top corner minutes after the halftime break.
Abafana Bestende remained alive and nearly had the lead against the run of play when Dlamini fired in a cross from Angelo Van Rooi well off target.
Usuthu’s momentum reaped the rewards six minutes from time as Ighodaro got on the end of a cross from Tshepang Moremi to head past Maova.
Arthur Zwane's remained in the ascendancy afterwards and bagged the victory to climb up to sixth spot, while Arrows find themselves in 12th spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
Golden Arrows: Maova ,Shitolo, Mwengani, Theron , Mutizwa, Dlamini, S.Cele, Ndwandwe , Sibiya, Mthanti, Sithole
Subs: Watenga, Nxadi, Kobedi , Matlaba,, Msomi,Zwane, Mchunu, B.Cele, Van Rooi
AmaZulu: Ofori, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Fielies, Mthethwa, Motshwari, Zungu, Ekstein, Ighodaro, Mashigo, Moremi
Subs: Mothwa, Gumede, Ngobeni, Dube, Radebe, Mbanjwa, Human, Brooks, Mulenga
