England-based striker Mamady Sidibe scored on his debut as Mali picked up their first points of the 2004 Nations Cup qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Seychelles.

Sidibe, who plays for the first division club Gillingham, scored Mali's second goal to boost their chance of a place in the Nations Cup finals in Tunisia.

But Mali, who hosted the last Nations Cup finals earlier this year, still trail behind Zimbabwe in group six, who have a 100 percent record after two matches and beat Mali in Harare last month.

Midfielder Seydou Keita opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after a long period of pressure.

Sidibe netted the second in the 75th minute after a pass from Keita and Dramane Coulibaly scored the third five minutes from the end, netting the rebound after Mamadou Diarra squandered a chance from the penalty spot.

Defeat for the Seychelles brought them back down to earth after they started the qualifying campaign with a win over Eritrea last month.