AmaZulu suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.
Tsepo Masilela, Tapelo Xoki, Tercious Malepe, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Augustine Mulenga were recalled to the Usuthu line-up while Sekhukhune handed rare starts to the trio of Seth Parusnath, Tshidiso Patjie and Pogiso Mahlangu.
Babina Noko came with a plan to hit the visitors on the counter and could have taken the lead in the 12th minute. Mahlangu received a cut-back inside the box but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Parusnath was presented with a big opportunity to break the deadlock for MacDonald Makhubedu’s men in the 25th minute as AmaZulu were leaving big spaces behind the defence, clear on goal but his cracking effort was stopped by Mothwa.
The visitors, who had been struggling in the game, had a rare chance just before the half-time break. Mulenga latched onto a loose ball in the area, but his attempted effort was saved by goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata from close range.
Shortly after the break, Willard Katsande broke the deadlock for the home side with a simple finish into the far post after a well-worked corner.
Sekhukhune then had a goal disallowed just after that for offside as they put AmaZulu under pressure but Chibuike Ohizu soon made it 2-0 three minutes later with a low strike past Mothwa inside the box.
Benni McCarthy tried to rescue the game with a double attacking and tactical changes, as Tshepang Moremi replaced Masilela and Siyanda Khumalo came on Mbongeni Gumede.
Usuthu had a lifeline in the last 20 minutes after Sekhukhune were reduced to ten men, as Mahlangu got a second yellow card for a foul on Mothwa.
AmaZulu failed to created goal scoring chances, as Sekhukhune defended as a team and held on for a third consecutive win.