Harare — ZIMBABWE international striker Benjani Mwaruwari finally joined the Warriors' training camp yesterday - a day later than his scheduled return to the senior national team - ahead of tonight's trip to Algeria for the crucial World Cup qualifier in Oran on Sunday.

The AJ Auxerre forward had triggered a bout of concern in the Warriors' camp after he did not report for national duty as expected on Monday.

There were even fears early yesterday that Mwaruwari might miss the preparatory match against a Zimbabwe Select side at Rufaro last night which was being used by the national coaches to assess the players ahead of the tip to North Africa.

Mwaruwari featured in the benefit match held in honour of South African legend Lucas Radebe in Durban on Saturday.

The dreadlocked forward, who was voted the South African Player of the Year in 2001, scored twice during that benefit match.

While Zimbabwe captain Peter Ndlovu, who took part in that benefit match, returned to the Warriors' camp as scheduled on Monday, Mwaruwari was missing in action.

He, however, turned up shortly before last night's match and played the full 90 minutes for the team that coach Charles Mhlauri is likely to field in Algeria.

The match, played at a full and lively pace, was watched by about 5 000 fans.

It ended in a 1-1 draw with Mwaruwari creating the equaliser for substitute Shingi Kawondera in the second half to cancel an earlier strike by the slippery Eddie Mashiri who converted a penalty at the second attempt.

Mwaruwari is a sure bet, barring last-minute injuries at training today, to be part of the team that is scheduled to leave tonight for Algeria.

The Warriors are expected to leave at 2210 hours and their 30-member delegation includes 18 players, the technical team and seven officials.

The 18 players will be named after today's final home training session.

Mashiri, who is now playing for Umtata Bush Bucks in South Africa, is also likely to make the trip after an impressive showing last night driving the Select midfield.

Mashiri won the penalty that gave his side the goal, toying with his marker on the right side of the penalty area and leaving him with little option but to bring him down to stop his progress.

Giant referee Tichaona Chapfika rightly pointed to the spot but Mashiri, who had picked himself up to take the responsibility, saw his attempt being saved by goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro, diving full-stretch to his left.

But Chapfika saw that George Mbwando had moved into the box before the spot-kick had been taken and gave Mashiri a second bite of the cherry.

This time the diminutive midfielder was spot on - sending his firm shot to the goalkeeper's right and giving him no chance to stop the ball.

The Select side, who enjoyed the better support and were under the guidance of Moses Chunga, were ahead.

Chunga's midfield combination that featured the likes of Mashiri, Clement Matawu and Cephas Chimedza appeared to have an upper hand in the first half.

Regular Warriors' playmaker Ronald Sibanda, back in the squad after serving his suspension, was thrown into the team that is likely to start the game against Algeria.

The midfield also featured Tinashe Nengomasha in a holding position with captain Peter Ndlovu in what looked a free-role just behind Zenzo Moyo and Mwaruwari.

Speed merchant Joel Luphahla kept roaming the flanks on either wing.

Esrom Nyandoro was on the bench while Mbwando started on the right wingback position with Edelbert Dinha, who has now made that role his own, also relegated to the bench.

James Matola, who featured in a central defensive partnership with the hugely-popular Dumisani Mpofu in the 1-0 win over Gabon two weeks ago, made way for the returning Zvenyika Makonese.

Matola played for the Select side.

Also on the bench for the Warriors was former Highlanders' captain Bekhithemba Ndlovu.

Question marks hang over whether Ndlovu should still retain his place in the squad now that he is third in the pecking order for the right wingback role after Dinha and Mbwando.

Matola is now the first-choice change for the central defensive pairing.

Speedster Brian Badza looks set to be sacrificed despite turning on the show with a brilliant performance last night where he used his raw pace to give Mpofu and Makonese a tough time.

In the final analysis, the Select side was a better team last night and, given their average age, we appear to have a very good senior national team in the making to replace the old guard when they finally call it quits.

Noel Kaseke played at rightback and impressed everyone at the stadium with his confidence while it was also a good outing for rock-solid Sundowns captain David Kutyauripo.

Tricky striker Quincy Antipas was also in the Select side.

Chunga said he was happy with the way their programme had gone so far.

"We have decided to train only once a day because we don't want the players to suffer from fatigue.

"We have not experienced any major injuries but Esrom (Nyandoro) has got a slight groin problem. It's not that serious and I'm sure he will be fine."

A win for the Warriors in Algeria will certainly guarantee them a place at the Nations Cup finals in Egypt next year.

After last night's match, the Warriors took the opportunity to bid farewell to their fans ahead of their trip to Algeria.

They went round the playing pitch at Rufaro, waving to their fans in the stands, who all stood to salute their heroes and wish them well ahead of tonight's tour of duty. Scores of fans then mobbed the players as they made their way to their team bus and police had to be called in to disperse the crowd and enable the team to leave the stadium.