AmaZulu moved up to third place in the Betway Premiership courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Saturday.
Mlondi Mbanjwa scored the only goal of the game on 72 minutes as Arthur Zwane's side maintained their perfect start to 2026 and closed within two points of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Gallants were looking to snap a six-match winless run after a 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in midweek left them just three points clear of the danger zone in 13th place, while Usuthu went in search of three consecutive wins for the first time this season, having beaten TS Galaxy 3-2 most recently last weekend.
The hosts enjoyed a large chunk of the possession in the first half, but they only tested Darren Johnson once from their five attempts at goal, with AmaZulu managing one shot more.
Johnson was called into action early on as he palmed away Msindisi Kunene's well-struck free-kick and Thando Ngwenya drew a routine save out of Washington Arubi at the other end towards the half-hour mark after bearing down on goal.
The best chance for the KZN outfit arrived seven minutes before halftime when Nkosikhona Radebe crossed the ball for Keegan Allan to steer his header straight at Arubi.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa continued to see far more of the ball in the second half, but once again their finishing let them down.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness when Mbanjwa got ahead of his marker at the near post to glance his header past Arubi from Riaan Hanamub's cross.
Alexandre Lafitte's side piled on the pressure in the closing stages as they pushed for an equaliser, only to be denied by Usuthu's solid defence.
🏆🟢⚪️ Riaan Hanamub is named Betway Premiership Man of the Match this afternoon 👏🏽#HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether #AmaZuluFC pic.twitter.com/DdctWxLr6o
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) January 31, 2026
Marumo Gallants 0
AmaZulu (0) 1 (Mbanjwa 72')
Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, K. Ncube (S. Sithole 85'), E. Agnikoi, M. Sikhosana, L. Mabotja, E. Mwiinde (P. Ndlondlo 71'), O. Romaric, S. Nhlapo (I. Bance 85'), B. Mabuza (J. Clifford 71'), M. Ndlovu (K. Otladisa 46'), M. Doumbia.
AmaZulu: D. Johnson, K. Allan, T. Fielies, S. Mthethwa, N. Radebe, L. Mhlongo (A. Sithole 85'), L. Bern (L. Slatsha 68'), R. Hanamub, A. Maqokola (M. Mbanjwa 46'), T. Mashigo (T. Kutumela 58'), T. Ngwenya (B. Zungu 85').