BIZERTE Jan 26: Frederic Kanoute justified his controversial switch of allegiance from France to Mali by scoring twice to fire his new team to a 3-1 win over Kenya on Monday in the African Nations Cup.

He then proclaimed the day marked a new beginning in his career. All eyes were on Kanoute whose decision to switch to Mali, despite having played for France at Under-21 level, had caused so much controversy.

Tottenham had been keen to hang onto their 3.5-million-pound (US$6.3m) striker who has 12 goals in the Premiership this season. For their part, Kenya went into the match with the dubious distinction of making four previous Nations Cup finals without winning a game and their build-up had been hit by rows over money.

Mali, semifinalists two years ago, had the best early chance when Adama Coulibaly headed Soumaila Coulibaly's corner wide of the mark after five minutes with the corner won by Kanoute.

But, at the other end, Denis Oliech, who plays his football beside Argentinian legend Gabriel Batistuta at Al-Arabi in Qatar, picked up a long ball, got inside Souleymane Diamoutene but could shoot only meekly into the arms of keeper Mahamadou Sidibe.

In the 20th minute, Mali should have been in front. Kanoute sprinted down the right, crossed for Sammy Traore but the Nice defender's side-footed attempt from just inside the area was cleared off the line by Kassim Issa.

However, Valencia's Sissoko, another player who switched to Mali, having played for the France Under-21 side, broke through in the 28th minute when he took advantage of a terrible mix-up between George Waweru and Adam Shaban to steal the ball and score.

Mulama equalized in the 59th minute when he rifled home a left foot volley from the edge of the area. Kenya's joy did not last long, however, as Kanoute put Mali back in front five minutes later when he latched onto Seydou Keita's right wing cross to score from six yards.

Kenya substitute Emmanual Ake then wasted a great chance to make it 2-2 when his shot was blocked and he was left to regret the miss as Kanoute then latched onto a through ball to score in the corner in the 82nd minute.-AFP