For many years, the Cairo duo appeared formidable because they had everything in place to brush aside any competition from opposing teams.

Their big spending, along with their fame, were enough to lure emerging stars from mid-table and unfancied teams.

The story is totally different now.

The likes of Petrojet, ENPPI, Harras Hodoud and Gouna – wealthy clubs who are either bankrolled by high-profile governmental institutions or private companies – proved they can go neck and neck with Ahli and Zamalek in transfer windows.

League holders Ahli, the wealthiest club in Egypt, used to find no difficulty in snapping up any player they tracked but now they are struggling to capture the sought-after players.

Petrojet turned down their offer to sign playmaker Walid Soliman, who pleaded with the petroleum club to let him go but eventually stayed put.

"I wanted to join Ahli because they are a massive club with great fan base, but I respect Petrojet's decision," the 25-year-old said.

"I'm totally focused on working hard for Petrojet and helping the club win a trophy next season."

Ahli had no choice but to sign several unknown players from second-division sides, including Wael Shafik, Mohamed Khalaf and Alaa Shaaban.

The Red Devils' new coach Hossam Al-Badri refused to admit that his side were no longer able to tempt clubs and players by lucrative offers.

"The problem is that there are no quality players now. That's why we opted to sign those players," he stated.

Zamalek, Ahli's arch-rivals, also failed to sign renowned players. They have been busy trying to land Ismaili's combative defender Sherif Abdul-Fadil but are yet to wrap up a deal for him.

Early Indication

Harras Hodoud have set the tone for an exciting season by claiming a thoroughly-deserved 2-0 victory over Ahli in the Egyptian Super Cup.

It might be an early indication that the military side, along with the other top-half teams, could mount a serious challenge for the league title.

"Now we can be one of the top clubs in Egypt, and not only aim to rub shoulders with Ahli, Zamalek and Ismaili," Hodoud coach Tarek Al-Ashri said after his side won their second trophy in history.

"We showed it tonight as we were more organized than Ahli, and we have surely earned the win."

Newly-promoted side Gouna, who are backed by multinational Egyptian corporation Orascom Telecom, spent big in the close season and look determined to break into the top four.

They signed Feyenoord keeper Sherif Ekrami and midfield trio Wael Riad, Amr Samaka and Hussein Ali – who have all played for Ahli before.

"The changes we made were natural," Gouna coach Ibrahim Youssef said.

"Playing in the premier division is totally different from playing in the second. We should be ready to face bigger teams."

ENPPI and Petrojet, who are no longer surprise packages after proving their worth during the past few years, managed to keep hold of their prized assets.

Three-time Egyptian champions Ismaili, who finished as runners-up last season, can not be ruled out as title contenders especially after acquiring the services of Essam Al-Hadari, who is widely regarded as the best keeper in Egypt's history.