AmaZulu secured their place in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup with a 3-2 victory over Tornado FC on Sunday afternoon.
Usuthu handed goalkeeper Jody February and Guily Manziba their first starts following the draw against Maritzburg United last Friday in Pietermaritzburg.
The host were in front on eight minutes when Mbongeni Gumede towered high from a tight angle and nodded in from good work by Sandile Khumalo and Bonginkosi Ntuli.
AmaZulu's lead was under threat just over the midway stage after Embrio Barends shrugged off a challenge and fired in from a tight angle, but February parried away.
Usuthu increased their tally a few minutes later when Gabadinho Mhango charged onto a floated ball by Manziba and volleyed into the bottom corner.
Usuthu looked to add a third over three minutes to the break off the head by Khumalo following George Maluleka's surging delivery, but the defender pulled the effort wide of the mark.
The host brought on Mxolisi Kunene in favour of Mhango before having Manziba withdrawn for former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United winger Thabo Qalinge.
As Tornado continued to fancy their chances, Usuthu pushed for a third goal a few minutes after the break though Kunene slammed Ethan Brooks' delivery wide.
Kunene ultimately impacted matters midway in the second half when he entered in the near side of the area and crossed for Ntuli to tap in an empty net.
Tornado restored momentum and pulled one back in the last ten minutes after Malcolm Katz attacked a corner-kick and turned home.
Usuthu's nervous spell of play continued and conceded again as Dupane got between February and the defence before slotting in from close-range.
The host should've grabbed a fourth goal and killed the contest in added time with a first-time shot on the edge of the area by Rally Bwalya, but he went over and three goals were enough to seal the win.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: February, Gumede, Mabiliso, Zulu, Kumalo, Buchanan, Maluleka, Brooks, Ntuli, Manziba, Mhango
Subs: Mothwa, Hanamub, Kunene, Bwalya, Qalinge, Ndlovu, Ekstein, Kwem, Dion
Tornado: Van Wyk, Balie, Barends, Rivaldo, Mjonono, Witbooi, Titus, Buthelezi, Cloete, Katz, Plessie
Subs: Mokopi, Pofadder, Slinger, Squaer, Voor, Sihoyo, Jacobs, Dupane.
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