A sole goal from Bongi Ntuli gave AmaZulu a much-needed 1-0 win over Black Leopards at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
The result places the KwaZulu-Natal outfit four points away from automatic relegation, while Lidoda Duvha suffer a second consecutive defeat after as many wins in the bubble.
AmaZulu 1-0 Black Leopards: PSL match report
It took Usuthu only six minutes to edge ahead when Ntuli and veteran marksman Lehlohonolo Majoro combined well, with the former finishing past King Ndlovu to make it 1-0.
It could have been 2-0 at the half-hour mark with both Ntuli and Sphelele Magubane getting opportunities to double the lead.
AmaZulu keeper Siyabonga Mbatha was called upon in the 34th minute, when he had to keep out an effort from defender Edwin Gymah.
In their pursuit for the equaliser, Leopards placed AmaZulu under siege with a series of attacks inside the opposition half going into the break.
No breakthrough was forthcoming in the first 45 minute, forcing the Limpopo outfit to come out guns blazing early in the second.
Kaizer Chiefs loanee Andriamirado Andrinarimanana was brougt on in the 60th minute to try and give Leopards some attacking impetus.
However, the next chance fell on the path of AmaZulu when Sibusiso Mabiliso released a shot which did not even trouble Ndlovu.
Despite being behind and desperate for a win, Leopards’ search for an equaliser grew increasingly tame with AmaZulu comfortably navigating the closing stages to secure a vital victory in their bid to survive in the top flight.
The victory placed AmaZulu on 28 points for the season with two fixtures left to play, four away from bottom-placed Polokwane City. Leopards, on the other hand, are in 14th place with just 26 points earned this season.
