Kanté progressed through the youth ranks at local club RC Strasbourg before starting his professional career there.

He spent two seasons with them, in his first stint, making 7 appearances and picking up a Coupe de France winners medal in 2001.

In the Greek Cup Final, Kanté played a vital role in the center of the defense for Panathinaikos as they defeated Aris 1–0 with a goal from Argentinian winger Sebastián Leto.

[4] In July 2012, Kanté returned to France, signing a two-year contract with Ligue 1 team FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

He opted to play for the country of his parents' birth and represented the Eagles 25 times as well as at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.