Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways after claiming a narrow 2-0 victory over AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.
Usuthu came into this encounter after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in their previous league match.
Meanwhile, the Glamour Boys were forced to endure a narrow 1-0 defeat by Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium in their last league game.
Amakhosi came out on top in this fixture last season in the league after completing a double over AmaZulu, with first claiming a 2-0 win on home soil before securing a 3-2 victory in the return fixture.
The visitors got off to a good start and showed their intent early in the opening exchanges.
Lebogang Manyama should have put his side ahead in the fourth minute but blazed his effort over the bar from close range after being set up by Reece Frosler.
The home side had to wait until the final seven minutes of the first half to conjure up their first real chance at goal, when Ovidy Karuru forced Itumeleng Khune into turning his header away from goal.
Chiefs were dealt a major blow in the 43rd minute when Samir Nurkovic was forced off the field with a head injury and subsequently replaced by Leonardo Castro.
The game went into half time with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
Ernst Middendorp made his second change of the game early in the second half when Ntiya-Ntiya came on to replace Frosler.
Chiefs came close to taking the lead in the 61st minute as Khama Billiat was put through on goal by Manyama, but the Chiefs attacker fired his effort wide of the upright.
Usuthu found the back of the net in the 73rd minute but Talent Chawapihwa saw his goal disallowed for offside.
Amakhosi were forced to use their final substitution two minutes later when Dumisani Zuma came on to replace the injured Ntiya-Ntiya.
Chiefs eventually took the lead in the 83rd minute when Castro found the net after Manyama saw his free kick hit off the woodwork.
The visitors put the game to bed in stoppage time when Billiat found the back of the net after latching on to a pass from Baccus.
Amakhosi held on to their final over AmaZulu until the final whistle to collect all three points away from home.
