Chippa United gave their top eight hopes a big boost after defeating AmaZulu 2-1 in Betway Premiership action on Saturday afternoon.
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made way for Darren Johnson, while Usuthu welcomed back Wayde Jooste and Hendrick Ekstein from the loss to TS Galaxy.
Debutant Enock Sakala Junior got the breakthrough and opened his account for the season through a smart finish from the six-yard area.
Chippa were in the hunt for more a few minutes later with Ayabulela Konqobe coming close from outside the box, but he disappointingly fluffed his lines.
It came nonetheless under ten minutes to halftime after a quick move on the counter-attack saw a lurking Craig Martin take aim to bulge the back of the net.
The visitors got one back just before the interval when Tshepang Moremi displayed solid positioning in the box and rattled the net.
AmaZulu came out firing in the second period in search of the equaliser, but they were unable to carve out any serious openings in the final third to trouble Johnson between the sticks.
That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the second period, as the Chilli Boys held on to make it back-to-back wins in the league while Usuthu extend their winless run to four matches.
The win sees Chippa remain in ninth spot, but they are now just one point behind eighth-placed Kaizer Chiefs who lost to 2-1 to Golden Arrows.
Confirmed line-ups:
Chippa United: Johnson, Ndlovu, Makhele, Chabalala, Ntsabo, Konqobe, Kammies, Philander, Mqokozo, Martin, Sakala
Subs: July, Molaoa, Maarman, Tyongwana, Modise, Matrose, Bonani, Teto, Sithole
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Jooste, Hanamub, Mthethwa, Fielies, Ekstein, Brooks, Moremi, Motshwari, Kambindu, Human
Subs: Ofori, Gumede, Mngonyama, Mphahlele, Ngobeni, Mbanjwa, Thabede, Ighodaro, Sithole