Cape Town - Baroka FC climbed back into the top-eight with their first win of 2018 as they beat Absa Premiership strugglers AmaZulu 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
The KZN outfit were looking to pull away from the relegation places, but their day started off badly when the hosts broke the deadlock after just seven minutes.
Mduduzi Mdantsane continued his good run of form as he slotted past Siyabonga Mbatha to register his third goal in as many outings.
But the loss of Lucky Nguzana through injury in the 25th minute slowed their momentum and Cavin Johnson's team began to get a foothold in the game, with Mhlengi Cele testing Virgil Vries at his near post on 34 minutes.
AmaZulu passed up their next opportunity just before half-time when Cele failed to hit the target from close range with the goal gaping, while the half ended with Goodman Mosele forcing a good save out of Siyabonga Mbatha.
Kgoloko Thobejane went to his bench at the interval and brought on Motupa as he looked to kill off the clash, but the visitors almost restored parity early in the second half through Ovidy Karuru, who fired wide of the mark.
A combination of the woodwork and the goalkeeper kept Usuthu in it as the second half wore on, with Mbatha standing firm to deny Richard Matloga before Talent Chawapiwa struck the crossbar on the rebound.
Motupa would have a part to play, however, as the substitute converted a swift counter in the 78th minute with his fifth goal of the season.
Mpho Kgaswane could have added some gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time, but Mbatha kept him out with a good save.