The Gambia will take on Mauritania on Saturday, March 29, at the Independence Stadium, for the first-leg of the newly instituted African Nations Cup tournament to be hosted in Ivory Coast early next year.

The maiden tourney is a continental event similar to the African Nations Cup, but only that this time the competition, which is aim to develop the local game in African countries, is strictly for local-based players.

Coach Tarik Siagy will guide Gambia to Saturday’s bout. The Egyptian has named a 21-man squad and revealed that his side has what it takes to win tomorrow’s tie.

“We have been in camp for the past week, and the players are very much aware of the task ahead,” he told Observer Sports.

“Mauritania may not be one of the big guns in African football, but we are not taking anything for granted. This is football and we will not underrate them”.

After Saturday’s encounter, the Scorpions will travel to Mauritania in a week time for the return leg.

The winner in the two-leg ties will face the Syli Nattionales of Guinea in the second round stages.

The qualifying round of the tournament will feature forty teams, from which eight, including the host side, will finally qualify to play in the finals of the competition in Abidjan.