Kanoute wants to provide some firepower for Mali at Tunisia 2004

Tottenham Hotspur striker Frederic Kanoute scored a hat-trick on Saturday to provide the perfect riposte to the furore surrounding his decision to play for Mali in the Nations Cup finals.

Kanoute has disappointed his Tottenham employers with his desire to play at Tunisia 2004, but showed his value with all three goals in a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.

The 26-year-old opened the scoring after just fourteen minutes when lashing home an angled shot from the right-hand side.

Six minutes later, Kanoute doubled Tottenham's lead when side-footing home a simple tap-in at the far post.

And the man whom Mali coach Henri Stambouli hopes can bring firepower to his side's attack at Tunisia 2004 wrapped up his hat-trick when striking a fine shot past the visiting goalkeeper in the 47th minute.

Tottenham manager David Pleat spoke to Kanoute on Friday to try to dissuade him from playing in the Nations Cup but praised the striker's performance.

"He handled himself well and took his goals well," Pleat said.

"He is 26 and has his own views, but I will see what happens.

"Nothing has happened yet which is irretrievable."

On Friday, the Tottenham manager revealed that his club had asked Fifa to confirm that Kanoute can play for Mali at international level.

Kanoute has previously played for the French Under-21 team, but a new Fifa rule allows players to switch countries if they have not played full internationals.

Kanoute, whose parents come originally from Mali, is hoping to lead the Eagles in their Nations Cup campaign against Group B opponents Kenya, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

The African Nations Cup starts on 24 January and ends on 14 February.