Kanoute fires Mali to emphatic win
 |
Two-goal Kanoute gives Mali a great start at the African Nations Cup
Story Tools
|
BIZERTE, Tunisia (Reuters) -- Striker Frederic Kanoute scored twice to give Mali a 3-1 win over Kenya in their African Nations Cup opener in Group B on Monday.
Mohamed Lamine Sissoko, who like Kanoute had played for France at junior level before changing his allegiance earlier this month, put Mali ahead after 28 minutes.
Titus Mulama levelled in the 58th minute but Kanoute restored Mali's lead five minutes later and rifled their third with nine minutes left. Group rivals Burkina Faso and Senegal drew 0-0.
Kanoute's goals will have vindicated his decision to play this tournament in the face of strong opposition from his English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
Mali's delighted French coach Henri Stambouli said: "We've won a lot of matches before this competition and we'd never really been in difficulty.
"Today we were, but my players showed they could deal with that -- thanks to our qualities up front."
He said of Kanoute: "A lot of people have criticized me for selecting certain players, but today the answer was there on the pitch, in his effectiveness and his model approach. He's an example for the whole group."
The French connection provided the kind of dividend which Malian soccer officials had been hoping for at these finals.
Sissoko, who plays for Valencia in the Spanish Primera Liga, took full advantage of a mix-up to rob the Kenyan defence and steer his shot past keeper Francis Onyiso.
Further shots flew wide of the target and the misses could have proved expensive after Mulama volleyed home an equalizer.
But Kanoute came to Mali's rescue, collecting a cross the right and rifling into the far corner minutes later.
Further chances for the Kenyans to get back in the game were blazed off-target by Oliech before Kanoute put the result beyond doubt with a low shot.
Senegal are held
World Cup quarterfinalists Senegal failed to capitalise on a myriad of chances in a goalless draw with Burkina Faso in the other group game.
The Senegalese dominated the derby game in Group B in front of a sparse crowd, but the closest they came to a goal was when striker Henri Camara hit the post early in the second half.
His shot thundered back off the post after Burkina Faso failed to clear a corner.
Burkina Faso defended could even have snatched victory if Senegal midfielder Salif Diao had not managed to track back and cut off a breakaway by striker Abdoulaye Cisse.
