Kaizer Chiefs warmed up for the Vodacom Challenge with a credible 0-0 draw against the Iran national side in a friendly club versus country encounter played at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.

'Amakhosi' play Manchester City in their opening Challenge clash at Durban's Absa Stadium on July 21.

'Amakhosi's new coach Vladimir Vermezovic put out an experimental side against Iran in this Persian Football Tour match of Southern Africa and will be satisfied with what he saw from what was basically a reserve side that started off against a youthful Iranian side who are rebuilding after failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Iran drew 1-1 against Botswana in Gaborone last weekend in their other tour match.

Chiefs had the upper hand in a fast flowing first 45 minutes. Both sides created chances but failed to capitalise.

Iran's Khalid Khalathari forced 'Amakhosi' reserve keeper Thela Ngobeni to make a fine save from his well struck shot in the 23rd minute as Iran looked for a breakthrough.

It was the South African under-20 keeper's first senior appearance for 'Amakhosi' and he acquitted himself well with a couple of good saves in both halves.

Ngobeni deputised for Chiefs and the Bafana Bafana number one keeper Itumeleng Khune who was rested along with Chiefs other Bafana star Siphiwe Tshabalala after playing in last month's Confederations Cup. Chiefs other senior 'keeper Emille Baron joined PSL champions SuperSport United in the off-season.

Iran's skipper and goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmadi did well to deny Reneilwe Letsholonyane a goal with a stunning save from his 25 metre rocket in the 30th minute.

Chiefs finished the first half the stronger of the two sides putting the young Iranian side under a lot of pressure.

Both sides again created chances to score after the break.

Chiefs' new signing, Knowledge Musona was fractionally wide in the 58th minute after the Zimbabwean was set up by the hard working Abia Nale. Then Ngobeni did well to stop Khalathari scoring for the visitors 10 minutes later.

Both sides probed for the winner but at the end of the day a draw was a fair result.

Sapa

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