Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is set to roll out his big guns ? Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Brazilian superstar Robinho ? when his side plays either Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs in the Vodacom Challenge Final at Loftus on Saturday.

'Bucs' and 'Amakhosi' go head to head at the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday night with the winner meeting City at Loftus on Saturday.

Hughes, the former Manchester United star, diplomatically side stepped the question when asked which side he preferred to play in the final.

Speaking after his side defeated Amakhosi 1-0 in their second Challenge clash played in front of 32 000 fans at Durban's Absa Stadium on Tuesday night, Hughes said he respected both the Soweto giants.

The 'Buccaneers' cruised past City winning 2-0 in the opening Challenge showdown in Polokwane last Saturday.

Said the former Welsh manager: "I do not mind who we play in the final.

"Both teams have good qualities, but I will be fielding a stronger side in the final."

But Hughes hinted strongly that if fit he would field his two new international strikers, Togo's Adebayor who he bought from Arsenal at the weekend for R325 million, and Argentine Tevez who cost about the same from neighbours Manchester United.

"Adebayor joined the squad in Durban on Tuesday and has not trained so he was not fit to play against Chiefs, but I will see how he looks at training for the rest of the week and if he is fit, he could play a part in the final."

Robinho, another world rated striker who helped Brazil retain the Confederations Cup at Ellis Park last month, is expected to join the City squad on Thursday to play in the final.

On Tevez Hughes explained: "Carlos has a heel injury and that is why he has not played so far in the Challenge, but again I will look at him and if he has recovered he will come into contention.

"But I will not risk any player who I feel is not 100 percent fit."

Hughes said of Adebayor: "I was thrilled to sign him. He is a world class striker and it is not often a real world class striker is on the market, so I believe he will strengthen my squad."

Hughes paid tribute to Chiefs and said: "Chiefs ? like Pirates ? tested us and gave us a tremendous workout. They were quick and attacked us and that made us defend hard.

"We benefitted from the game. It was what I had expected from Chiefs."

City's new England midfield star, Gareth Barry, who signed recently from Aston Villa for about R225 million, said he was impressed by Chiefs and was looking forward to the final.

Barry explained why he had signed a five year deal with City: "I am confident it will not be long before I am playing with City in the European Champions League.

"That is where this club is heading."

'Amakhosi' coach Vladimir Vermezovic, congratulated City and said: "We were beaten by a better side. But we learnt from it and we are keen to play City again in the final."

The Serbian born coach said while Chiefs have only two days to recover before meeting Pirates, he was looking forward to his first Soweto Derby and believed he could win it.

"Sometimes in this game teams need a little luck. We did not have that against City but I am not complaining."

The new Chiefs coach also said he would not destroy any player's confidence by replacing him if he made mistakes and was heckled by the crowd, as was striker Kaizer Motaung Junior.

"We all make mistakes and we have to get over them. That is part of the game."

The only goal of the match was scored late in first half injury time by City captain Stephen Ireland.

Outstanding for Chiefs were goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, central defender Valery Nahayo and midfielder David Mathebula.