Kenya 1-3 Mali

Frederic Kanoute scored twice as Mali proved too strong for Kenya in their opening Group B match.

Valencia's Mohamed Lamine Sissoko put Mali ahead in the first half with a side-foot shot inside the penalty area.

Titus Mulama equalised for Kenya with a superb volley before two well-placed efforts from Tottenham's Kanoute put Mali back in the driving seat.

Mali's next match is against Burkina Faso on Friday while Kenya face Group B favourites Senegal.

Mali, who are many people's dark horses for the title, began well, although their defence appeared vulnerable against the marauding runs of Dennis Oliech.

I am happy we were able to mark him out because he couldn't score until we made a mistake Kenya coach Jacob Mulee on Kanoute

Oliech was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition with his mazy and powerful runs, although he lacked a positive finish.

Just before half-time, Mali made Oliech and Kenya pay for their misses when Sissoko took advantage of some shoddy defending.

The striker kept his cool to place a 18-yard shot wide of keeper Mahamadou Sidibe.

However, just moments after the break Kenya levelled when a frantic 15 seconds inside the Mali penalty area ended with a superb volley from Mulama.

Before the east African team could catch their breath, Mali restored their lead through Kanoute.

I have to keep going like this and keep fighting for this country because it's very important for me Mali striker Frederic Kanoute

The Spurs hitman, who was playing his first match for the country, took full advantage of a brilliant run and cross from team-mate Seydou Keita to steer the ball past Francis Onyiso.

Moments later, fellow attacker Soumaila Coulibaly struck a stunning free-kick just wide as Mali continued to press forward.

They finally got their reward when Kanoute latched on to a long ball before placing a right-foot effort past the outstretched arm of the Kenya keeper.

Kenya: 1-Francis Onyiso; 2-Japtheth Waweru (15-Philip Opiyo 88), 3-Issa Kassim, 4-Musa Otieno, 5-Tom Juma; 7-Titus Mulama, 8-Adam Shaban, 10-John Muiruri (19-Emmanuel Ake 73), 17-Robert Mambo; 9-Mike Okoth, 18-Dennis Oliech

Mali: 1-Mahamadou Sidibe; 2-Souleymane Diamoutene (11-Djibril Sidibe 67), 3-Fousseiny Diawara, 4-Adama Coulibaly, 5-Brahim Thiam, 17-Sammy Traore; 6-Mahamadou Diarra, 10-Soumaila Coulibaly, 12-Seydou Keita (8-Bassala Toure 88), 18-Mohamed Lamine Sissoko; 19-Frederic Kanoute

Referee: Tessema Hailemelak (Ethiopia)