Kanoute was cleared by Fifa

Kanoute's call-up came after world football's governing body announced that despite playing for France's under-21 team, he was eligible to represent the Eagles under new rules which came into effect on 1 January.

Mohamed Lamine Sissoko of Valencia, who was also cleared by Fifa to represent Mali, joins Kanoute in the squad announced by coach Henri Stambouli.

Kanoute, who has dual citizenship, had applied to change countries under the new rules, initially angering his struggling English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur.

The north London club said that when they signed him he had not expressed an interest in playing for Mali.

Kanoute told the Tottenham website: "I understand the club's point of view. It's difficult because they didn't think I could go until Fifa made their late decision. That is all I've said.

"It is difficult for me because I didn't want to leave the club in this situation. But for me, it means a lot to play in this competition. It will be an honour."

Tottenham will lose their in-form striker for up to five matches and have asked Fifa to delay Kanoute's departure for the tournament until after their home match with Liverpool on 17 January.

Mali are in Group B with Burkina Faso, Kenya and Senegal. They were semi-finalists at the last Nations Cup finals they hosted in 2002.

Squad

Goalkeepers
Mahamadou Sidibe (Aegaleo, Greece), Fousseiny Tangara (Mantes 78, France), Cheick Oumar Bathily (Djoliba)

Defenders
Souleymane Diamoutene (Perugia, Italy), Sammy Traore (Nice, France), Adama Coulibaly (Lens, France), Fousseiny Diawara (Laval, France), Ibrahim Thiam (Istres, France), Mamary Traore (Grenoble, France) Alassane Toure (FC Schaffhausen, Switzerland).

Midfielders
David Coulibaly (Chateauroux, France), Djibril Sidibe (Chateauroux) Mahamadou Diarra (Lyon, France) Seydou Keita (Lens), Bassala Toure (Athinaikos, Greece), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Valencia, Spain), Soumaila Coulibaly (Freiburg, Germany).