By Emmanuel Muga BBC Sport, Dar es Salaam

Simba coach James Siang'a also handles the national side

Tanzania's top team, Simba SC, have reached a settlement with their FA, aimed at boosting the country's preparation for their Nations Cup match against Zambia.

The Tanzanian champions agreed to release its key players and coach for the national team.

Simba had initially hesitated to release coach James Siang'a and their key players, arguing that it would affect their preparation for a Champions League tie against Santos of South Africa.

"We have a match against a tough team and needed uninterrupted preparation.

"But the FA requested that we put the country first and we had to accept that," said Simba's secretary general Kassim Dewji.

Tanzania has not recruited a full time coach for the national team since German Burkhard Pape was sacked.

They have used Siang'a, who works with Mshindo Msolla, on an ad-hoc basis.

Siang'a took charge of Simba after a coaching spell in Kenya.

Tanzania will host Uganda's Cranes on Wednesday and efforts were being made to invite Kenya for another friendly.

The East African country lost their first two Nations Cup qualifiers to Benin and Sudan and a loss or draw against Zambia could end dreams of qualification for Tunisia 2004.