Pretoria - Kaizer Chiefs stunned big-spending Manchester City, defeating the star-studded English Premiership outfit 1-0 in the final of the Vodacom Challenge at Loftus on Saturday.

They sent out a warning to other PSL teams that Amakhosi mean business this season.

Amakhosi more than deserved their win and avenged the 1-0 defeat City inflicted on them in their earlier Challenge clash played at Durban's Absa Stadium last Tuesday.

The only goal was netted by former Bafana Bafana defender Jeffery Ntuka in the 42nd minute.

City struggled with Chiefs' pace and attacking approach and their big-name stars failed to shine in front of the 30 000 Chiefs fans who went home dreaming of winning the Absa Premiership for the first time since 2005 this season.

Chiefs reached the final after they edged out their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 4-3 on a sudden-death penalty shootout at a rain soaked Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday night after the teams ended 1-1 at full time.

While Chiefs fans went home happy with their sixth Challenge trophy to mark the tenth anniversary of the Challenge, City manager Mark Hughes will leave South Africa with more questions than answers after losing their opening game 2-0 in Polokwane to Pirates and never looking like beating a fired up Chiefs on Saturday.

There was little to enthuse over in a pedestrian first half with neither side getting out of first gear. City's new R325m striker Emmanuel Adebayor, bought last weekend from English Premiership rivals Arsenal, made his debut but looked lost for most of the first half.

The Togo star showed a few neat touches but it was obvious that he is far from match fit.

City suffered an early setback when they lost two defenders, Javal Vidal and Richard Dunne, in the first half. They were replaced by Tal Ben Haim and Pablo Zabaleta respectively.

Chiefs right back Tshifiwa Mmbooi looked a bit out of sorts after it was learnt he was in the middle of a contractual dispute after signing contracts for Chiefs and newly promoted Jomo Cosmos from First Division Dynamos.

Amakhosi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune did well to deny Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy a goal on 24 minutes. Bellamy was operating on the right flank where Shaun Wright-Phillips normally plays.

But the England winger played in a more central midfield role.

City missed a chance to go ahead in the 29th minute when Martin Petrov sent in a defence-splitting cross that both Bellamy and Wright-Phillips missed.

City goalkeeper Shay Given playing in his first Challenge match did well to palm away a powerful shot from Chiefs striker Nkosinathi "Chippa" Nhleko in the 41st minute.

From the resultant corner taken by George Lebese, Ntuka, playing in a midfield anchor role inside of defence, blasted home from close range giving the Ireland international Given no chance, to put Chiefs 1-0 ahead. It was his first goal for Chiefs since joining them from Belgium side Westerlo in January.

City tried to hit back a minute form the break when Haim headed wide from another good cross from Petrov.

The second half came alive with Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic bringing on attack minded players Mandla Masango, Josta Dladla and Abia Nale. But it was Adebayor who almost scored on debut in the 55th minute.

The new City star rounded defender Thabang Rooi and unleashed a thunderbolt that flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Then Hughes decided to throw on Brazilian super striker Robinho in the 57th minute for Petrov. Robinho, who helped Brazil retain the Confederations Cup, arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday and this was his first pre-season appearance for the ambitious City.

Given dealt with a 30-metre bullet from David Mathebula in routine fashion in the 67th minutes as Amakhosi probed for the second goal.

Adebayor lost his marker in the 68th minute but his goal bound header was well saved by the in-form Khune.

A minute later Given was called into action to deny substitute Tinashe Nengomasha that second goal that would have virtually wrapped up the game.

Robinho almost grabbed an equaliser five minutes from time but his shot skimmed past the upright.

But Chiefs soaked up the pressure at the end and fully deserved this famous win.