AmaZulu returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after a 2-1 victory over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Royal AM on Friday evening.
Mlondi Mbanjwa and Celimpilo Ngema were back in the Usuthu line-up following the loss to TS Galaxy, while goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto earned another start for the visitors.
Mbanjwa almost came inches to justifying his recall to the line-up in the opening quarter when he rattled the crossbar through a thumping effort.
The visitors remained on the back as AmaZulu were again denied by the upright on the half-hour mark from a shot-and-turn by Etiosa Ighodaro.
The danger refused to let up six minutes later and granted the host to seize control through a smart effort by Hendrick Pule Ekstein after catching Mpoto off napping.
Given the situation, a substitution was made by the visiting team ahead of the resumption as Philani Sithebe stepped on the park for Smiso Gumede.
Usuthu were in complete control two minutes in the second half and grabbed a second goal when Mbanjwa got out on the right of the box to fire in Ighodaro's through pass.
Sithebe, who just came on, went close to bringing the visitors back in the contest through a snap shot from a corner by Kabelo Mahlasela though fluffed his lines.
Sedwyn George also went looking to reduce matters a while later with a header off a smartly played cross, but he missed target.
The deficit was cut to size in the closing quarter when second-half substitute Levy Mashiane was given freedom to take aim and pounced to grab his second goal of the season.
However, the host still enjoyed control and were able to run down the clock to secure maximum points, taking the side up to 11th spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Hanamub, Fielies, Mphahlele, Motshwari, Ngema, Ekstein, Ighodaro, Mbanjwa, Human
Subs: Mothwa, Gumede, Sikhakhane, Ngobeni, Mngonyama, Moremi, Kunene, Haba, Ndlovu
Royal AM: Royal AM: Mpoto, Shezi, Jiyane, Zulu, Matlaba, Mahlasela, Gumede, Dlamini, Maxwele, George, Sithole
Subs: Ngcobo, Kobedi, Manganyi, Mkhize, Thikazi, Vezi, Mbhele, Sithebe