By James Copnall BBC Sport

Mali coach Henri Stambouli is certain Kanoute will play for him

Mali coach Henri Stambouli says Frederic Kanoute is certain to line up for his side, at this month's Nations Cup finals in Tunisia.

Kanoute has opted to switch nationalities, but his club Tottenham are attempting to halt the French-born striker from playing for the land of his father.

But Stambouli is confident that this will not happen.

"Kanoute will play with us in Tunisia, that is certain," Stambouli told the BBC.

"I understand why Tottenham are desperate to keep him, why they are trying everything, but it will be in vain.

"Fifa is with us, and the rules are with us."

A rule change introduced by Fifa, world football's governing body, means that players with dual nationality who are not full internationals can decide to play for either country, even if they have already represented one of the nations at junior level.

Fifa member Amadou Diakit�, a former President of the Malian Football Federation (FMF), is working on the case, and has assured Stambouli that Kanoute's nationality switch will proceed without any problems.

Stambouli has little sympathy for Kanoute's club side Tottenham.

"There are many players in his situation, it is not just Kanoute," he said.

"When I was coach of Sedan I lost Salif Diao, Henri Camara and Moussa Ndiaye to Senegal, and Pius Ndiefi to Cameroon, for the last Nations Cup.

"I just got on with it, and Tottenham should do the same.

Stambouli is convinced Kanoute will be a major asset to his side inTunisia.

"He's such a good player, he scores goals and has great quality.

"He's a good team player too, and has been a pleasure to deal with in my contacts with him.