By Kennedy Gondwe BBC Sport, Lusaka

Patrick Phiri is pleased with Zambia's Nations Cup preparations

Captain Christopher Katongo, who plays for Danish side Brondby, has joined the Chipolopolo training camp along with Elijah Tana of Sudan's El-Merreikh.

"Morale is very high with the arrival of other players based outside Zambia," coach Patrick Phiri told BBC Sport.

"I am particularly happy with the way the professionals have integrated with the local players, everyone is upbeat."

Other foreign-based players already in camp include Finland-based winger Clive winger Hachilensa.

Midfielders Felix Katongo, Ian Bakala and forward Adubelo Phiri, who all play in Angola, joined the team last week.

However, coach Patrick Phiri said he was yet to hear from the Germany-based duo of defender Moses Sichone and midfielder Andrew Sinkala.

Other foreign-based players yet to join the team are strikers Jacob Mulenga and Collins Mbesuma.

As well as midfielder Isaac Chansa, South-Africa based defenders Billy Mwanza and Chintu Kampamba are due to join the camp.

"I have been trying to get in touch with Moses and Andrew but their phones are on voice-mail," Phiri said.

Meanwhile, Phiri announced Zambia will play a Spanish select side as well as Morocco and Tunisia ahead of the finals next year.

He said other warm-up matches in the offing were against Angola and Nigeria.

"We are thankful to the football association for these high-profile games.

"All the players are looking forward to them," he said.

Zambia will play defending champions Egypt, Cameroon and Sudan in Group C of the competition that starts on January 20.