Kaizer Chiefs suffered their third successive defeat after conceding a 2-1 loss to AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Gavin Hunt made six changes to his side as Itumeleng Khune returned to the starting lineup alongside Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Philani Zulu, Siyabonga Ngezana, Reeve Frosler and Erick Mathoho.

Amakhosi did not get off to the best of starts and were forced into making a substitution inside the 15th minute when Lebogang Manyama replaced the injured Happy Mashiane.

Khune was then called into action moments later when he made a comfortable save to deny Luvuyo Memela’s volley from inside the box.

Augustine Mulenga should have handed Usuthu the lead just before the half-hour break, but the striker could only rattle the woodwork with his thunderous effort from distance.

Mulenga did eventually manage to find the back of the net on the stroke of half time, latching on to a loose ball from Mathoho before he fired his effort into the net roof as Usuthu took a one-goal lead into the break.

Chiefs had a chance to level matters in the 61st minute when Samir Nurkovic got on to the end of a cross by Frosler, but the Serbian striker’s header was kept out by Veli Mothwa at his near-post.

Amakhosi were then awarded a penalty five minutes later after Nurkovic was held back by Tapelo Xoki. Leonardo Castro stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The visitors were again denied by the woodwork in the 70th minute when Siphelele Magubane found space to unleash a curling strike that rattled the frame of the goal from the right-hand side.

The home side were then reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes left to play after Darrel Matsheke received his marching orders after picking up his second yellow card of the game.

Lehlohonolo Majoro then snatched all three points for Benni McCarthy’s side in the final five minutes, pouncing on an error by Khune before firing the ball into the far corner for Usuthu to run out 2-1 winners at the FNB Stadium.