Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over AmaZulu at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday evening, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Brazilians came into this encounter on a three-game winless run in the league after recently conceding a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Golden Arrows.

Meanwhile, Usuthu’s four-game winning run ended after suffering a 2-0 defeat by Chippa United in their last league encounter.

Sundowns got off to a good start, dominating proceedings in the opening exchanges of the game.

The home side should’ve went ahead in the 18th minute, but Lebohang Maboe missed a glorious chance as he blazed his effort over the target.

Sundowns had another opportunity to break the deadlock in the 28th minute but Motjeka Madisha guided his header over the crossbar after latching on to a Lyle Lakay free kick.

Siyabonga Mbatha came to his side’s rescue just before half time when he did well to keep Jose Ali Meza’s goal-bound effort out from inside the area.

Sundowns’ persistence paid off and they took the lead three minutes from half time, when Meza slotted the ball home after receiving a pass from Sibusiso Vilakazi.

However, Sundowns managed to hold on to their one-goal lead over Usuthu as the game went into the break.

Vilakazi nearly doubled his side’s lead early in the second half when his header sailed over the target after Lakay floated a dangerous free kick into the box.

Mabatha was called into action in the 56th minute when he made a good save to deny Vilakazi’s grass-cutter shot from outside the box.

Meza should’ve made it 2-0 two minutes later when he unleashed a powerful strike, but the Usuthu goalkeeper was up for the challenge as he denied him.

Sundowns were dealt a major blow in the 70th minute when Aubrey Ngoma came on for Meza, who was forced off through injury.

Pitso Mosimane made his second change of the game 10 minutes later when Keletso Makgalwa came on in place of Vilakazi.

Neil Boshoff came to his side’s rescue in the 88th minute when he came off his line to clear the ball from danger after Makgalwa launched a through-ball into the path of Maboe.

Mosimane made his final change in stoppage time when Tiyani Mabunda came on to replace Maboe.

Sundowns held on to their narrow lead over AmaZulu until the final whistle to collect all three points on home soil.