 Kanoute could decide to play for Mali |
English Premiership side Tottenham are trying to persuade Frederic Kanoute not to play for Mali.
Kanoute, who qualifies to play for the Eagles through his father, has been named in Mali's preliminary Nations Cup squad.
He know faces a tough choice between Mali and France, the land of his birth.
Tottenham, mindful of the fact that playing in the Nations Cup would take Kanoute away for nearly two months, want him to opt for France.
"Freddie has a dual passport and unfortunately Mali have qualified for the African Nations' Cup," said Spurs manager David Pleat.
"But I'd rather not answer the question at the moment.
"Like other managers, we're obviously doing some twiddling behind the scenes.
"I heard that Jacques Santini, the French manager, was here for our game against Manchester United."
Pleat is hoping that Kanoute opts to continue the path that has lead to him representing the French under 23 side.
However, a new Fifa rule means that as Kanoute has yet to win a full cap, he has a year to choose whether to play for France or Mali.
Mali coach Henri Stambouli claimed he was in contact with Kanoute in October, somethign the Tottenham striker subsequently denied.
Now he has a few weeks to decide if his international future is Malian.
MMIX
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