Santos has been included in Tunisia's preliminary 28-man Nations Cup squad

Brazilian-born striker Santos has confirmed he will take his place in the Tunisia squad for the forthcoming Nations Cup finals, despite the vehement opposition of his French club Sochaux.

Santos acquired Tunisian nationality last month and was named in the Carthage Eagles' preliminary 28-man Nations Cup squad soon after.

Yet Ligue 1 side Sochaux are upset that their leading scorer, who lies third in the French goalscoring charts, has ignored the club's claims that it would be a mistake to play in the tournament.

"It's disappointing for the club, for the squad and perhaps also for the player who has not listened to my advice," said Sochaux coach Guy Lacombe.

"It's a stupid decision."

Santos has scored ten goals in fifteen league games this season, and has been instrumental in lifting Sochaux into fourth place in the French championship.

The 24-year-old suggested to his club that he could return to France for league matches during the Nations Cup finals, but Sochaux refused to sanction this.

Instead, the Brazilian-born striker will join the Tunisian squad only after Sochaux play a league match away to Rennes on 17 January.

The Nations Cup finals begin one week later and run until 14 February.

Hosts Tunisia get the tournament underway when they play Rwanda in Tunis, and they will face further competition in Group A from DR Congo and Guinea.

Santos qualified for Tunisian nationality after living in the north African nation for four years, before then leaving crack local side Etoile Sahel to join Sochaux in 2000.