AmaZulu interim coach Brandon Truter got off to a winning start in the DStv Premiership with a 1-0 win over bottom-side Baroka on Wednesday evening.
Usuthu brought back most regulars who were rested in the CAF Champions League dead-rubber against Horoya but there were surprise inclusions for Lehlohololo Majoro and Hendrick Ekstein while Bakgaga recalled Evidence Makgopa.
AmaZulu were looking to change their fortunes with Truter in charge as they were without a win in the year 2022, a winless run of four matches in the league.
Baroka, meanwhile, suffered their fourth loss in five matches after a 5-1 thrashing by Cape Town City and were desperate to move off the foot of the table.
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Sekela Sithole had the biggest chance for Bakgaga ten minutes before the half-time break after going clear on goal but he could not beat goalkeeper Veli Mothwa in a one-on-one situation as the sides went into the break deadlocked.
After a quiet opening exchanges of the first stanza, Usuthu refreshed their attack in the 66th minute as Bonginkosi Ntuli replaced Majoro.
Ntuli made an impact as he came close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors 18 minutes before time with a cracking strike that rattled the post.
Usuthu made their attacking intentions clear in the closing stages as Andre de Jong replaced Thabo Qalinge.
However, it was Luvuyo Memela who snatched the winner in stoppage time with a header in the box after a cross by Sphesihle Maduna.
Confirmed line-ups:
Baroka: Masuluke, Mphahlele, Makume, Farmer, Ngubane, Bobete, Kambala, Masiya, Ndlovu, Sithole, Mkagopa.
Subs: Chipezeze, Mbulu, Junior, Bombi, Goldstone, Monama, Shozi, Mehlape, Maluleke.
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Kunene, Gumede, Khumalo, Malepe, Makhaula, Ekstein, Memela, Qalinge, Majoro.
Subs: Amonome, Zulu, Masilela, Mzava, Mlambo, Magaqa, Maduna, De Jong, Ntuli.
