The season has not even ended and Cairo rivals Ahly and Zamalek have started a bitter war of words over potential new signings as both sides are determined to bolster their squads in the summer.

Leaders and title favourites Zamalek take on already-relegated Damanhour and defending champions Ahly play fourth-place Maqassa in the Egyptian Premier League on Sunday but there are barely any talks about the competition.

Zamalek look close to ending an 11-year wait for an elusive league triumph, having blossomed after signing more than a dozen players last summer while Ahly are reeling, having conceded title defeat after a series of disappointing results under former coach Juan Garrido.

The almost certainty that Zamalek have all but won a 12^th league title made it an off-pitch race between the Cairo foes, with both sides vying to acquire the services of the country's leading players amid numerous rumours. 

Zamalek have already landed Masry's left-back Adel Gomaa and re-signed attacking midfielder Mohamed Ibrahim from Portugal's Maritimo while Ahly, who are suffering from a lack of depth in their squad and profligacy upfront, brought in Ghanaian hitman John Antwi, who enjoyed a fruitful spell at Ismaily before leaving for Saudi Arabia's Al-Shabab last January.

Mortada Mansour, the outspoken chairman of Zamalek, unleashed some fiery remarks over what he deemed his transfer victories over Ahly, whose officials have also insisted they are on course to overhaul an underachieving squad, making light of Mansour's comments.

"We tried to divert the media attention to John Antwi, who we did not want to sign, in order to finalise a deal for Malick Evouna," said the controversial lawyer, referring to Wydad Casablanca's Gabonese striker who is targeted by Ahly and Zamalek.

Zamalek are on top of the league table with 70 points from 29 games, nine clear of Ahly who played 30 matches.

The White Knights will only miss Mohamed Koffi when they meet Damanhour after the Burkinabe defender took part in his country's 2-0 victory over Comoros in their opening African Cup of Nations Group D qualifier last Saturday.

Ahly are missing a number of key players through suspension, including skipper Hossam Ghaly, attacking midfielders Walid Soliman and Abdallah El-Saied and central defender Mohamed Naguib.

Others are still missing due to injury such as winger Moemen Zakareya, veteran striker Emad Meteb and versatile midfielder Mahmoud Trezeguet.

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