Egypt's two traditional arch-rivals Al-Ahly and Zamalek will meet on Friday at 8:00pm (Cairo time) in the nation's Premier League in Cairo. Both teams are ready for battle. Ahly, who top the league with 56 points, nine ahead of second-placed Zamalek, who have played a game more, seek to win tonight to get nearer to a sixth successive title. Beating their great rivals would be like ‘a title on its own'. Zamalek, under Hossam Hassan's helm, are equally anxious to win this crucial fixture. The White Knights have recently been embroiled in controversy. In their match against Police Union a few days ago, fighting broke out on the pitch and Zamalek's duo Hazem Imam and Alaa Ali and the club's general coordinator Ibrahim Hassan were handed bans. Police Union's assistant coach Mohamed Ibrahim was also punished. The Ministry of Interior has imposed some restrictions to guarantee safety and peace inside and outside Cairo Stadium, which will open at 13:00pm (Cairo time). The Ministry has allowed fans to bring flags and drums, but no fireworks, newspapers, matches or bottles of water. It has also been urging people to stick to the traffic rules. Ahly's and Zamalek's radical supporters 'ultras' have decided not to unfurl their customary banners in Friday's derby, in protest at the security restrictions. "The Government's security officials say we should inform them of anything we intend to do during the game," ‘Ultras Ahlawi', the group who support Ahly, said in a statement. "They have also implemented arbitrary restrictions on our displaying our banners, so we have decided to cancel the special preparations we usually make for the derby." Zamalek's supporters echo this sentiment, hitting out at security officials for the 'needless restrictions'. But the Egyptian Interior Ministry and the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) see things very differently. Tensions between the traditional foes have been running high since Zamalek's 1-1 draw at home to Police Union last week. Zamalek's officials and players have accused the EFA of favouring Ahly after complaining about 'the deliberate errors' the referees make to help their competitor win the league. Ahly, on the other hand, say the referees' mistakes are part of the game, insisting that such errors affect all Egyptian teams. The EFA says they will come down hard on any rioters during the remainder of the domestic season. Swiss referee Masimo Busaca, who was in charge of last year's UEFA Champions League final, which saw Barcelona beat Manchester United in Rome, will officiate. Ahly are suffering many absences due to injury. The club could be without attacking midfielder Mohamed Barakat. The former Egyptian international limped off during Ahly's training session on Wednesday after sustaining an ankle injury. "Barakat had to leave the training after just five minutes," Ahly said on their official website. "He will undergo scans to find out the extent of the injury and determine whether he can play against Zamalek." Barakat has been an indispensable member of Ahly's squad since joining in the summer of 2004. He has played a key role in helping them win a host of local and continental trophies during the past six years. His versatility and dribbling skills hugely benefit an Ahly side who are struggling upfront this season, despite being on the verge of winning a sixth consecutive league title. Skipper Ahmed el-Sayyed, who plays in the heart of Ahly's defence but is not an automatic choice for coach Hossam el-Badri, and young playmaker Moustafa Mahmoud 'Afrotto' are also doubtful for Friday's encounter. El-Badri will use Mohamed Abou Treika from the first beginning to compensate for the absence of Barakat. Meanwhile, the Red Devils' goalie Ahmed Adel Abdel-Moneim has put on well during training. Zamalek club's board have promised their players extra bonuses if they beat Ahly. Police on Thursday seized a huge quantity of fireworks which, they said, were planned to be used by the two club's fans. Meanwhile, Petrojet host Mansoura in the Canal city of Suez on Friday. Petrojet lie in the third place with 42 points, while Mansoura are second from bottom with 16 points.
