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giving them unnecessary respect.
Zimbabwe and Egypt clash in a World Cup African Zone Group G qualifier in which the hosts, out of contention for place at the 2014 global soccer showcase in Brazil, have their pride to play for.
Arubi was the stand out player when the Warriors almost forced a rare draw against Egypt in Alexandria on March 26, before the visitors fell to a late 2-1 defeat.
The University of Pretoria goalkeeper is, however, confident that the Warriors will this time around turn the tables on the Pharaohs and yesterday, challenged his teammates to have the mental strength to face the Egyptians.
Egypt, who lead the Group G standings with nine points, eight more than the Warriors are expected to arrive in the capital today and the Pharaohs, who have been the Warriors’ nemesis in such competitions will touch down in Harare with a high profile that includes a record seven African nations titles.
They have also previously taken part at the World Cup and the Confederations Cup while the Warriors only have two Nations Cup appearances which ended in the group stages in 2004 in Tunisia and 2006 in Egypt, to show for their 33-year history.
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But former Dynamos goalkeeper Arubi, who is also the senior team’s vice-captain challenged the largely youthful Warriors not to read much into the record books, arguing that it is only with the right approach that the Pharaohs can be brought down to earth at the National Sports Stadium.
Arubi also said he was hoping for another fine performance that could inspire Zimbabwe to a historic victory over the North Africans.
The Warriors, Arubi also said needed to put behind them the disappointment of their defeat in Alexandria and open another chapter in Sunday’s match.
“My focus on each and every game is that I should be outstanding.
“If a team has a good goalkeeper, then they tend to play very well and win matches” Arubi said.
The goalkeeper challenged his troops to be mentally prepared to face the Egyptians, who were held 1-1 by Botswana in Cairo on Tuesday evening.
Arubi also returns to national duty with the Warriors on the back of a fine a season with AmaTuks where he was voted the club’s best player.
But characteristic of him, the 2011 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year, refused to be completely carried away after being named the best player at University of Pretoria in the just ended season as he believes that the best is yet to come out of him.
Arubi joined AmaTuks as they made their debut campaign in the South African Premiership in June last year, and immediately took over as the first choice in the goalkeeping position and featured in more than 90 percent of the matches after getting his work permit.
The former Lancashire Steel, Highlanders and Dynamos goalkeeper inspired University of Pretoria to a top eight finish with his commanding shows in goal.
While Arubi still cherishes his finest moment in South Africa, the agile Warriors vice-captain said he should not be complacent as there was still room for improvement on his game.
Arubi also said he would like to make the best, during this time with the national team so that he could also build up on his success story once he rejoins University of Pretoria for the 2013/14 season.
“Now that I am with the national team, it’s helping me because I will remain in shape and great form.
“Pre-season training with my club will not be an uphill struggle because I am currently with the national team.
“My fitness levels will remain high and I hope to improve so that I perform better’’.
While Arubi is at the moment focused on the Warriors assignment on Sunday, he paid tribute to former Dynamos goalkeeper Tendai Tanyanyiwa for shaping his skills in South African football as he struggled at first to adjust to the new challenges.
“I want to thank the Almighty God for leading me in my football career.
“When I went to South Africa, I was very excited because this was a stepping stone for me.
“I now take this as an opportunity for me to go and play in Europe one day.
“As I arrived in South Africa, I struggled to adjust because of changes in the environment but because I was a seasoned player, I urged myself to remain focused and work hard.
“I went to South Africa as the reigning Zimbabwean soccer star and that helped me to raise my game.
“Goalkeepers coach (Tendai) Tanyanyiwa helped me a lot on how to play while Lionel Mtizwa also helped me to settle.
“I did not have any pressure in South African even though I was the Zimbabwean Soccer star.
“I just said to myself, ‘Look I have to play my normal game just like I did at home’.
“In football a person needs to work hard and should not only wait for training sessions with teammates but should do a little extra’’.
Despite being pleased with his performance in his debut season in South Africa, Arubi said he should strive to work harder.
“In the past season I played very well and I am pleased with that.
“But it was not my best because I know I can do better best.
“This was just my first season in the South African Premiership and I hope to work harder now that I have settled,” he said.
University of Pretoria coach Steve Barker at one time reckoned that Arubi was one of the best goalkeepers in the South Africa Premiership.
“The target is to concede fewer goals in the coming season. I kept nine clean sheets in the first season and I hope to keep more clean sheets in the next season.
“This was a new team and we played as a unit with my teammates and I pay tribute to (goalkeeper’s) coach Tanyanyiwa, he gave me more drills.
“Of course coach (Tichaona) Diya at Dynamos and others had given me drills before but I think I improved on my drills after I moved to South Africa.
“So generally I thank all the goalkeeping coaches, especially the Zimbabweans, who have worked with me because they helped my game a lot.
“For now I also hope to play well in the match on Sunday,” said Arubi.
The Warriors preparations were also boosted by thearrival of Khama Billiat, who had missed the first day of training.
Ajax Cape Town winger, Billiat, had failed to travel after indicating that he had misplaced his passport although speculation was also rife that he had been locked in negotiations over a possible move Mamelodi Sundowns
German coach Klaus Dieter Pagels yesterday had all the players in camp running with the exception of Simba Sithole, who has since been dropped because of an injury.
During their afternoon session the Warriors played a practice match against Premiership side Monomotapa with Knowledge Musona, Cuthbert Malajila and a penalty by skipper Denver Mukamba giving them a 3-1 lead in the first half.
Pagels then reshuffled his pack and featured another set of players in the second half and they grabbed two more goals via a brace from Roderick Mutuma.
Today the Warriors medical team will be monitoring the minor knocks picked up by Matthew Rusike, Devon Chafa, Malajila and Musona during the sparring session with Monoz.
Online Reporter