By James Copnall BBC Sport, Bamako

Kanoute has been in impressive form

Mali coach Henri Stambouli is confident that he will convince Frederic Kanoute to wear the country's colours at the Nations Cup finals in Tunisia.

Stambouli told the BBC Sport website that he had been speaking with the striker, who plays for English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur, and is convinced he will join the team soon.

Kanoute has been in sparkling form since his summer move from West Ham to Tottenham and his presence in Mali's team could help them progress beyond the fourth place achieved when they hosted the 2002 Nations Cup.

"We have had direct phone contact with him," Stambouli said.

"I think in the next couple of weeks he will accept our proposal to play for us."

Kanoute has already played for the French under-21 side, but a new Fifa rule - permitting players to play for another country if they have not played at full international level - should allow him play for his parent's country of origin.

Stambouli believes Kanoute's inclusion in the team will end Mali's search for a good striker.

"It would be very interesting to have him, and for the moment I think we are in a good position," Stambouli said.

Kanoute was invited to Mali in 1998 by the Malian Football Federation and played in a friendly game.