Niemach scored deep into injury time as Kaizer Chiefs scraped a 1-1 draw.

Chiefs will be happy with their overall performance, with goalkeeper Brian Baloyi at his best, but the strikers battled to find the back of the net. The home crowd was also in full voice as they urged Amakhosi on following their 2-0 defeat against Jomo Cosmos in midweek.

On a day when the Amakhosi strikers appeared to have left their scoring boots at home, defender Cyril Nzama was deployed in central midfield and carried out his duties with aplomb.

Amakhosi were favourites to collect maximum points given their record against the Northern Province outfit but were shocked five minutes before the break.

The Amakhosi defence froze as they expected referee Jarome Damon to give a goalkick after the ball appeared to have gone out of play. Fees Moloi, meanwhile, launched a cross which found Thapelo Liau in the penalty area and he put the visitors in the lead.

Chiefs almost equalised on the stroke of halftime but Macamo's effort was blocked by Sol Molapo following a great delivery from Pule. But Stars were the happier as they went into the break with a 1-0 lead and Manyora appeared heading to their first victory against Chiefs in the Castle Premiership.

Molapo’s effort was, however, was only good enough for a point as Niemach, who came on for national under-23 striker Justice Sithole on 66 minutes, blasted in the equaliser deep into injury time.

Amakhosi supporters had no reason to be angry at halftime as their team displayed confidence with a great sense of urgency whenever in possession. Defender Cyril Nzama was deployed in central midfield in the absence of Nhlanhla Kubeka and played his heart out as he thwarted almost every Stars attack.

Stars had two players sent off in the space of two minutes late in the second half as Manyora frantically tried to preserve their lead. Abednigo Netshodwe was odered off for a second yellow card on 83 minutes while Sol Molapo got a red card for a reckless tackle on Pule.

Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral made drastic changes to his starting line-up with veteran midfielder Thabo Mooki and Marco Mthembu not making it to the bench.

Youngsters Justice Sithole returned from injury and partnered Luke Jukulile and Jossias Macamo while Jabu Pule ran things in the middle of the park.

Former Chiefs star Fees Moloi led the Stars attack while veteran Sam Pam marshalled the defence.

However, Niemach was to have the final say as he rescued Amakhosi from the jaws of defeat with a priceless goal. The goal brought back some of the supporters who were heading for the exit and enabled them to leave for the second time with a slightly better feeling inside.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: 16-Brian Baloyi, 5-Patrick Mabedi, 29-Gary Goldstone, 24-Isaac Mabotsa, 14-David Kannemeyer, 27-Gerald Sibeko (28-Patrick Mbuthu 61st), 4-Cyril Nzama, 21-Justice Sithole (20-Kenny Niemach 66th), 11-Jabu Pule, 8-Luke Jukulile, 23-Jossias Macamo (17-Rene Richards 72nd).

Ria Stars: 41-Aime Kitenge, 9-Lucky Lekgwathi, 16-Abednigo Netshodwe, 4-Saul Molapo, 29-Sphiwe Mkhonza, 5-Sam Pam (23-Elasto Lungu 53rd), 22-Fees Moloi (26-Joel Seroba 76th), 12-Thapelo Liau, 30-Donovan Wilson, 3-Jacob Machaka, 19-Robson Muchichwa.

Referee: Jerome Damon.