AmaZulu continued their impressive early-season momentum, holding off a spirited second-half fightback from Durban City FC to claim a hard-fought 2-1 Betway Premiership victory at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Usuthu set the tone early in the KwaZulu-Natal derby, ruthlessly punishing the hosts for a sluggish defensive start.
Despite Durban City setting an aggressive early pace with Kyle Jurgens and Samkelo Maseko threatening inside the opening five minutes, it was AmaZulu who struck first in the seventh minute.
Nkosikhona Radebe whipped in a pinpoint delivery for Mlondi Mbanjwa, who calmly controlled the cross before slotting past Frederick Asare.
City pushed hard for an immediate response, but AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela proved equal to the task.
Mzimela produced sharp saves to deny Ethan Brooks from range and Jean Lubumba from close , keeping the Citizens at bay as Luphumlo Sifumba and Mokone also failed to convert their chances.
At the other end, Asare pulled off a brilliant save to prevent Mbanjwa from doubling his tally on a clean fast break.
AmaZulu doubled their lead deep into first-half stoppage time. Once again acting as provider, Radebe set up Athini Maqokolo to finish from point-blank range in the 49th minute, sending the visitors into the break with a commanding 2-0 cushion.
Durban City emerged after the restart with renewed urgency.
Bandile Shandu whistled a shot just wide in the 51st minute, but with the hosts still trailing midway through the half, coach Eric Tinkler turned to his bench. The double substitution yielded instant results. Just two minutes after coming on in the 69th minute, Haashim Domingo found the back of the net to halve the deficit and set up a grandstand finish.
Tinkler’s side threw everything forward in the final 15 minutes, earning a succession of late free-kicks, but AmaZulu’s defence held firm under intense pressure to secure all three points and bragging rights in the Durban derby.