AmaZulu FC were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Moroka Swallows in a DStv Premiership match which was played at the Dobsonville Stadium on Friday night.
Usuthu remained eighth in the standings after their three-match unbeaten run came to an end and they will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they face Chippa United on October 28.
The two teams struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening stages of the game, but Usuthu upped the tempo just after the half-hour mark with the half-time break approaching.
The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time as Ethan Brooks was afforded space and time to unleash a thunderous shot that beat goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi hands down and AmaZulu were leading 1-0 at the interval.
However, AmaZulu were handed a blow 12 minutes into the second-half as Abubeker Mobara was shown a straight red card and coach Pablo Franco Martin’s side had to soldier on with 10 players.
Amaswaiswai managed to take advantage of their numerical superiority over Usuthu as Kwanda Mngonyama set up Tshegofatso Mabasa who scored to make it 1-1 with 19 minutes left on the clock.
The hosts then pushed for the winning goal which they got in the 75th minute and it was Mabasa who hit the back of the net to complete his brace – sealing Swallows’ come-come-behind 2-1 victory.
Swallows (0) 2 (Mabasa 71′, 75′)
AmaZulu (1) 1 (Brooks 45′)
Swallows: Akpeyi, Sibiya, Mtshali, Phillips, Jali, Mhango (Malinga 68), Makhubela (Mthethwa 90′), Mngonyama, Mabasa (Tshanini 90′), Sam, Phalane.
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane (Maluleka 90′), Hanamub, Fielies, Mphahlele, Gumede (Mbanjwa 77′), Mobara, Brooks (Human 90′), Dion, Ngema (Motshwari 65′), Moremi (Kwem 90′)
