Scorpions head coach, Luciano Mancini remains optimistic that his side can bounce back from a demoralising 2-1 defeat to the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Sunday when they play the Desert Foxes of Algeria on Friday.

He said in quotes reported by Cafonlie: “The Tanzanian team played very well…they have players small in physical stature and able to play some fast combinations while moving swiftly with the ball.”

The match-day two results means that Tanzania climbed to second position on three points, while Gambia dropped bottom of the group. Ivory Coast remained on top of the group with four points and Morocco are on third with two points. The two played out a 2-2 draw last Saturday.

For his part, Tanzania head coach Kim Poulsen was proud of the fighting spirit Taifa Stars displayed and backed his youthful squad to keep on improving. The Tanzanian outfit, nicknamed the Taifa Stars, recovered from a goal down to win 2-1 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“I think the boys were in high spirits and that was great,” the Danish tactician said after the match adding, “I have pushed these players so hard in training. I have always been telling them that the reason why I shout at you is that I have planted the seeds and I want them to grow faster…these are the results.”

Momodou Ceesay gave Gambia the lead in the first half, but the hosts bounced back in the second half as goals from defenders Shomari Kapombe and Erasto Nyoni earned Poulsen his first win in charge of the Stars. “I told the players at halftime to continue pushing harder and tire the opponents and force them into making mistakes and that's what they did.”

The Taifa Stars of Tanzania welcomed ‘The Scorpions’, having lost their first World Cup qualifier 2-0 to favourites Ivory Coast and the Dane was pleased to see his team bounce back with a well deserved victory against the Gambians.

“It is a good journey now, we have played two games, we are number two in the group and we will be stronger and stronger, it was good for the boys because they deserved victory. This victory will push them to achieve even more, we have sent a signal to each other that we are on right track, we are moving on this journey for the new era and towards great height,” said Polsen.