Titleholders Al-Ahly, who are in high spirits after qualifying for the African Champions League (ACL) quarterfinals after beating Ittihad of Libya 3-2 on aggregate, having lost 2-0 in Tripoli two weeks ago, meet Gouna in the Upper Egyptian city of Sohag in the local league on Thursday. Having already won the league title for the sixth time in a row, Al-Ahly shone in their game against the Libyan side in Cairo on Sunday. Later this month, Ahly will start their Egypt's Cup campaign, which will give them the chance to try out some of their youngsters. Ahly's coach Hossam el-Badri will be using Saad Eddin Samir, Mohamed Abdel-Fattah and Hussein el-Sayyed. El-Badri, who took charge of the Red Devils one year ago, will extend his contract after the Egypt's Cup. The 50-year-older has steered the team to a sixth successive league title and they're looking good in the ACL, whose quarterfinal draw will be announced on Thursday. Ahly, who have 61 points against 32 for Gouna, may miss Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Abou Treika, Shehab Ahmed and Osama Hosni due to injury. The Red Devils, meanwhile, are looking to land Ahmed Fawzi in the close season, according to the Masri right back. "My agent Tamer el-Nahas has informed me of Ahly's intent to sign me ahead of next season," he told FilGoal.com Tuesday night. "I have asked them to postpone the negotiations till after the end of the season, so I don't get distracted while el-Masri are struggling to stay in the Egyptian Premier League. I really want this deal to go through but I won't leave unless both clubs reach an agreement." Fawzi has been quite impressive since joining el-Masri when Hossam Hassan, who's now in charge of Zamalek, was at the Port Said side's helm. The 26-year-old still has one season on his el-Masri contract, which includes an LE1 million-release clause. Meanwhile, Zamalek host Assiut Petroleum in the same competition on Thursday in Cairo. The White Knights are setting their sights on ending the season as runners-up and, if they win on Thursday, they will do so. They are on 51 points, while the third-placed Petrojet have 47. Zamalek are negotiating with the Dervishes to hire defender Moatasem Salem as Zamalek are in dire need of his skills in next season's ACL. The White Knights will qualify for this competition if they end the season in second place. The 29-year-older centre-half wants to leave Ismaili because of a 'personal issue' that entails moving to Cairo. However, the Canal club Ismaili are determined to keep hold of him. The Ismaili's board have met with the coaching staff and decided not to let Salem go. The robust player's deal with Ismaili expires in 2013. He can only depart by mutual consent, as his contract doesn't include a release clause.
