Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi promised an improved performance from last week's disappointing league outing, and his side did deliver the goods in Sunday's MTN8 semi-final, first leg against AmaZulu at Chatsworth Stadium.
Mngqithi, whose men played to a goalless draw against Moroka Swallows in their opening Absa Premiership match in Gauteng last Saturday, must have been worried initially as his team struggled to make possession count, but they came right in an exciting manner in the second half to take a 2-1 advantage into the second leg at the same venue on Saturday.
Slender striker Richard Henyekane proved AmaZulu's tormentor on the day by scoring a brace and hitting the bar in the space of about 20 minutes after the interval.
Henyekane will be pleased at having opened his account for the season in a such a delightful manner, but new AmaZulu coach Neil Tovey will be deeply concerned that his men have conceded a total of six goals in their first three matches of the season, although the late goal from attacking midfielder Litha Ngxabi in Sunday does give Usuthu a bit of a lifeline for the second leg.
With Sunday's match being AmaZulu's home game, Usuthu will be challenged to score two unanswered goals in the second leg to advance to the final against either Ajax Cape Town or Kaizer Chiefs.
Said Mngqithi: "We hoped to score another goal, but we'll see what happens in the second leg. AmaZulu will try hard, but we'll give it our best."
Tovey offered hope to his team, saying: "It's only half-time. We are back in this one. It's a long haul, but if they can score two, so can we. But we have to stop letting in the petty goals we are conceding."
Tovey had also promised an improved showing from last week's disconcerting 2-2 draw against BidVest Wits in the league at the same venue, but it was Arrows who clearly shaded the play on Sunday.
However, Abafana Bes'thende struggled to get shots on target in the first half and this would have given hope to AmaZulu.
There was a scare for Usuthu in the 24th minute when defender Kampamba Chintu handled the ball on the edge of the box, but Henyekane slammed his freekick into the defensive wall. At the other end two minutes later new AmaZulu striker Ayanda Dlamini shot over the bar.
Early in the second half Arrows central midfielder Musa Bilankilu made a good run down the left flank, beating several players, only to see his shot go way off target. However, the game was soon to turn heavily in Arrows's favour.
They took the lead in the 61st minute when Henyekane struck the ball into the back of the net after a long throw by skipper Joseph Musonda from the right was not cleared by the AmaZulu defence.
Arrows almost went further ahead two minutes later when Henyekane's shot hit the upright.
However, Henyekane completed his brace in the 66th minute with a great shot past AmaZulu goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje from outside the box.
Near the end of normal time, Usuthu striker Ayanda Dlamini connected with a cross from substitute Dumisani Ngwenya in the box, but Arrows goalkeeper Helton da Rocha was on hand to make a save.
AmaZulu finally got a goal deep into extra time when Ngxabi scored with his left foot after Da Rocha had tried to clear a cross from the right.