Head coach Luciano Mancini on a sabbatical from national duties in his homeland in Italy.

The former regional coach in Italy will be off duties with the Gambia national team for at least two weeks according to Gambia Football Association spokesperson.

However no reason has been given for Mancini's sudden need of break.

Peter Bonu Johnson, his immediate assistant, fills the coaching responsibilities on a temporary basis including the carrying out training sessions for the local based scorpions.

The squad is mulling a friendly at least in December after the failed proposed Siena test match mid-November.

The normalisation Committee is struggling to stage a game for the squad in what will be their first conducted test match since taking over the reins at the GFA March this year.

The team -comprising local based players - continues to train and a friendly in next month avails gaffer Mancini chance to assess his side and keep fit ahead of their World Cup qualifier in March 2013.

Gambia cross swords with the elephants of Ivory Coast in a group that includes Tanzania and Morocco.