The Mother City outfit handed debuts to Mobara and Mpho Makola, while fellow new signing Tashreeq Morris settled for a spot on the bench.

 

Baroka made liveliest of starts to the encounter and managed to force City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh into a save inside the opening 10 minutes, while they rattled the woodwork on 20 minutes.

 

Moments later, the Citizens broke the deadlock as defender Keanu Cupido met a cross from Surprise Ralani to head past Elvis Chipezeze for the game's opening goal.

 

The lead was doubled eight minutes later, with Kermit Erasmus bagging his first of the season by drilling the ball into the bottom corner just moments before Baroka pulled one back through Mduduzi Mdantsane in the 33rd minute.

 

An entertaining half was capped off with Baroka levelling matters through Tshediso Patjie's first goal of the season just before the break.

 

The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with both Leeuwenburgh and Chipezeze being called into action in the opening 15 minutes.

 

With 20 minutes remaining, City were dealt a blow as captain Thamsanqa Mkhize picked up a knock and was unable to continue, but his place was taken by Morris, who was making his first appearance.

 

Erasmus had a chance to secure victory for the visitors on 87 minutes after being played through on goal but with only Chipezeze to beat, he sent the ball wide as the encounter ended all square.

Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 2. Kgoetyane, 21. Mongae, 6. Sibiya, 18. Shozi, 14. Mosele, 8. Mdantsane, 11. Selemela, 9. Mbulu, 10. Phiri, 20. Patjie.

 

Subs: 30. Dlamini, 16. Madigoe, 26. Ntswane, 28. Nsimba, 19. Dickens, 23. Ngubane, 7. Tisdell.

 

City: 1. Leewenburgh, 2. Mkhize, 3. Mobara, 15. Cupido, 5. Edmilson, 21. Mokeke, 8. Makola, 10.  David, 11. Ralani, 9.  Erasmus.7. Links.

 

Subs: 16. Stephens, 6. Seedat, Kewuti, 26. Nodada, Morris, 30. Martin, 25. Mthembu.