Chippa United defeated AmaZulu FC 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening.

The result moves the Chilli Boys up to the 11th spot on the league standings, while relegation-threatened Usuthu remain at the foot of the table.

The Chilli Boys dominated possession from the start with former Orlando Pirates midfielder Lehlogonolo Masalesa pulling the strings from the middle of the park for the hosts.

However, Norman Mapeza's charges could not penetrate the AmaZulu defence as it looked solid and compact.

Usuthu grew in confidence as the match progressed with Siyethembe Sithebe looking lively and making good runs from midfield.

Despite Sithebe's efforts in midfield, there was no supply for AmaZulu's top goalscorer Bonginkosi Ntuli, who was left isolated upfront for most of the tie.

The hosts began the second-half brightly and they managed to break the deadlock three minutes after the restart.

Ruzaigh Gamildien was the man who beat AmaZulu goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha to make it 1-0 to Chippa.

Usuthu coach Jozef Vukusic had to react and he introduced strikers Milos Lacny and Bayanda Shangase as the visitors looked to level matters.

Shangase, who is the Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) top goalscorer, injected some pace into the AmaZulu attack.

However, Chilli Boys were happy to sit back and defend their slender lead in the closing stages of the encounter.

Ultimately, Chippa secured a narrow 1-0 victory over AmaZulu, who could not grab a late equalising goal on the night.

Chippa United (0) 1 (Gamildien 48')

AmaZulu (0) 0

Chippa United: Mothwa, Damons, Malepe, K.Moyo, Modisane, Masalesa, Maphanga, Maziya (Kwem 87'), Maphangule (Komane 66'), Gamildien, Twala (Rakhale 50').

AmaZulu: Mbatha, Masilela, Xoki, Booysen, Ncobeni, Magaqa (Lacny 64'), Sithebe, Maduna, Magubane (Ngubane 81'), Chawaphiwa (Shangase 70') Ntuli.