Goals from Siyabonga Nomvethe and Mabhudi Khenyeza handed AmaZulu a 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns n the Absa Premiership on Saturday night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Coach Cavin Johnson's men moved up the log table as they jumped to the seventh spot with 11 point from eight games.

Coach Pitso Mosimane's men started like a house on fire and they managed to put the Durban-base side under pressure.

The hosts had a bright start in the encounter as they probed for an early goal and Sekotlong found a beautiful cross from the right and he made no mistake to finish with ease in the eighth minute.

Sundowns were unfortunate when Percy Tau saw his effort flying over the crossbar as he unleashed a powerful shot in the 17th minute.

The visitors took time to test Ghanaian international goalkeeper Razak Brimah, who was protected by his defence.

In the 37th minute Mosimane's men found the back of the net as Tau scored, but the speedy forward was found to be offside

There were no goals in the end of the first half, but it was the hosts who continued with attacking and Tau wasted a number of chances to put the hosts further ahead.

Samuel Darpoh tried an attemp to beat Brimah from a long range in the 59th minute, yet he could not hit the target.

Coach Cavin Johnson's troops could not give up as they pushed for an equaliser, but they failed to break the stable Sundowns defence.

The Usuthu technical bench made changes and Nomvethe was introduced, and with his pace he beat Sundowns’ defence, only to see his effort saved by Brimah in the 78th minute.

A ball from the left flank allowed Cele to pounce on a loose ball in the box as the hosts protested for an offside, but Nomvethe managed to finish on the far post with 11 minutes to play.

However, the visitors gained the front foot and pushed for a winner and Khenyeza sprung the offside trap to beat Brimah on his right corner, 2-1 to Usuthu.

In the last few minutes of the encounter, it was the Durban-based outfit which showed more hunger.

In the end, the Brazilians now move to number nine on the log with as many points from six matches as they registered their second loss in a row.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Sekotlong 08')
AmaZulu (0) 2 (Nomvethe 79', Khenyeza 87')

Mamelodi Sundowns: Brimah, Hachi, Arendse, Morena, Madisha, Ngcongca, Kekana, Sekotlong (Mohomi 69'), Zwane (Lebese 60'), Manyisa (Castro 82'), Tau

AmaZulu: Pule, M. Gumede, P. Gumede, Ouro-Akoriko, Morton, Dlamini L, Darpoh, Mbatha B, Ncobeni, Cele, Manzini (Nomvethe 74')

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to avoid a third straight home loss in the Absa Premiership when they welcome AmaZulu to Lucas Moripe Stadium on 21 October 2017, kick-off at 20h15.

Sundowns come into the game having lost 2-1 at home to Kaizer Chiefs on October 17. The defeat, which saw Pitso Mosimane’s men end the match with 10 men following the sending off of midfielder Tiyani Mabunda, was their second in the league this season.

It was also their second home loss, having been beaten by the same score against Polokwane City back in August. The Brazilians will look to rectify their home form as quickly as possible, with away wins over SuperSport United, Free State Stars and Platinum Stars ample proof that they remain one of the league’s top teams.

AmaZulu continued their inconsistent start to the season as they lost a 3-2 thriller at home to Polokwane City on October 18. The Durban side saw another goal for striker Rhulani Manzini (his fourth in the last three matches), but they need their defence to step up a gear or two.

Usuthu have played just two away matches this season and lost them both: 0-2 at Chippa United in August and 1-4 at Golden Arrows in September.

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and AmaZulu have met in 53 league matches since 1985. The Brazilians have claimed 35 wins compared to just six for Usuthu, while 12 matches have been drawn. The Tshwane side has won 16 of their 26 home matches in the rivalry, suffering four defeats in the process.

The teams last met in the league in the 2014/15 season, with ‘Downs completing a league ‘double’: the Tshwane side won 2-0 at home in the first half of the campaign and 1-0 in the return game in Durban, with Cuthbert Malajila scoring all three goals. The Brazilians are unbeaten in their last nine league matches against Usuthu, including their current streak of four straight wins.

Sundowns’ line-up from their 2-1 loss to Chiefs on October 17: Onyango, Langerman, Arendse (Lebese 86'), Morena, Madisha, Mabunda, Kekana, Billiat (Malajila 83'), Zwane, Vilakazi (Manyisa 52'), Tau.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 3-2 loss to Polokwane on October 18: S.Mbatha, M.Gumede, Mtsweni, Mngqibisa, Ouro-Akoriko (C), Darpoh (Mnguni 84'), Ncube, B.Mbatha (Nomvethe 60'), Ncobeni, Cele, Manzini (Ntsundwana 84').