ALEXANDRIA - Warriors chief striker Knowledge Musona yesterday joined first choice goalkeeper Washington Arubi in the sick bay after catching a fever ahead of tomorrow’s tough World Cup qualifier against Egypt, although the team’s technical bench was not raising alarm.

The 22-year-old FC Augsburg forward did not take part in the team’s two training sessions yesterday, spending most of the day in his hotel room hoping to recover in time for the Pharaohs clash at the Borg El Arab Stadium here tomorrow evening.

“As you know, we have been training in a windy and dusty environment so himself (Musona) and other players have been complaining about throat problems and flu-like symptoms,” Warriors team doctor Nick Munyonga told reporters after yesterday’s morning training session.

“Unfortunately for Knowledge, he caught a fever and developed chest pains. He will continue with his medication while on bed rest.”

Commenting on goalkeeper Arubi, who injured his two fingers in Saturday’s first training session, Munyonga said:

“I think Arubi is improving, we are doing everything we can to protect the fingers. That is why we have been avoiding ball work while he continues with the rest of his work programme. From the preliminary test we did, I am happy with his progress. I’m confident he will play on Tuesday.”

Goalkeepers’ coach Nkululeko Dhlamini continued to stand in for Arubi between the sticks during training, as was the case on Saturday, with second choice goalie Maxwell Mupanedengu keeping goal at the other end.

Arubi took part in on-field drills.

The Warriors, who are rebuilding under new German coach Klaus-Dieter Pagels, are hoping to defy their underdogs tag with a win here to revive their World Cup qualification hopes.

Zimbabwe are bottom of Group F with a single point from their opening two games, six points adrift of leaders Egypt, themselves on a rebuilding exercise under American coach Bob Bradley.

WARRIORS SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Maxwell Mupanedengu.

Defenders: Lincoln Zvasiya, Partson Jaure, Augustine Mbara, Ocean Mushure, Hardlife Zvirekwi.

Midfielders: Denver Mukamba (captain), Archieford Gutu, Ovidy Karuru, Khama Billiat, Tafadzwa Rusike, Abbas Amidu, Masimba Mambare, Ronald Chitiyo, Silas Songani.

Forwards: Knowledge Musona, Rodreck Mutuma. - Enock Muchinjo in Egypt