Chiefs retained Itumeleng Khune in goal and had Njabulo Blom, Khama Billiat and Samir Nurkovic amongst other notable introductions following their CAF Champions League euphoria.
A turnover from the right-side by the Amakhosi released Billiat, who got down the byline for a cross-cum shot five minutes in but Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke made an outstretched save.
The host came inches close to the front a little before the midway stage when Richard Mbulu headed a free-kick from Gerald Phiri Junior narrowly beyond the top corner.
Chiefs maintained a bit of momentum following the half-hour mark, however it was Bakgaga Ba Ga Mphahlele who nearly had the breakthrough after Goodman Mosele send a first-time shot wide.
Bakgaga still enjoyed more chances minutes before halftime and should've had the lead through a header in the area from Phiri Junior, but the Malawian went wide.
However, it was the Soweto giants who broke the deadlock 12 minutes from halftime when Lebogang Manyama played a one-two with Billiat to go on and round Masuluke for an easy finish.
Bakgaga targeted an instant response moments thereafter as a free-kick from the edge of the area by Phiri Junior nestled off the top of the net.
Fresh set of faces from the Amakhosi with 20 minutes to go saw Manyama recalled for Lazarous Kambole and Happy Mashiane introduced for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
Bakgaga remained confident and clawed themselves back on level terms ten minutes later when Evidence Makgopa dropped a shoulder in the area to finish off a through pass.
The Amakhosi were unable to stage a comeback late on as Billiat worked an angle in the area to force a save off Masuluke, as the two sides settled for a share of the spoils.
Baroka: Masuluke, Mphahlele, Sibiya, Makume, Gebhardt, Mosele, Masiya, Phiri Jr, Makgopa, Monama, Mbulu.
Subs: Mbiza, Seema, Patjie, Farmer, Kambala, Shozi, Mogale, Dickens, Kamatuka.
Chiefs: Khune, Cardoso, Mathoho, Ngezana, Frosler, Blom, Ngcobo, Parker, Manyama, Billiat, Nurkovic.
Subs: Bvuma, Mphahlele, Katsande, Baccus, Sasman, Kambole, Zulu, Mashiane, Zuma.