Coach of Mauritania Patrice Nouvou is hopeful of upsetting host Gambia in today's duel.

Gambia locks horns with fellow World Cup non-qualifier Mauritania today in a friendly game for the first time since December.

While Mancini will pray of a first victory with the Scorpions since taking over the reins of the team's managing responsibilities, he well could be in for a shock as Patrice Nouvou and co eye a win too.

"It is an important friendly match but a difficult one. But hopefully, we will be in for a win" Nouvou who had coached DR Congo and qualified Guinea Conakry to the African Cup of Nations said via an interpreter.

Mauritania are preparing for the CHAN championship and against Senegal in their next fixture. A win puts Nouvou on road to propelling the Mourabitounes to new ways, after strings of defeats: losing 3-0 to Egypt in April, 2-1 to Iran, 3-1 to Iraqi Kurdistan and 2-0 to Palestine national team.

In another side of card, Mancini is also yet to win a game having draw Morocco at home, losing to Tanzania 2-1, a heart-piercing 4-1 lost to the Desert Foxes of Algeria.

He however is on course to restore Gambia's lost pride following a 1-1 draw to Angola in December.