CAIRO: Zamalek defender Mahmoud Fathallah said that his team can only be considered title contenders with crucial wins over league rivals.

The White Knights seven-match winning streak left them seven points adrift of stumbling leaders Ahly, with many pundits tipping them to catch their bitter rivals.

But Fathallah is relishing the prospect of beating top teams with 11 games to go this season.

The league title is on the back of our minds, but we take every game as it comes, the Egypt center-half told FilGoal.com.

I think our upcoming games against top teams will determine whether we are being realistic with our ambitions or not. Every game will be a cup tie.

We have some tough matches ahead of us, but I think we have passed the most difficult test against Petrojet.

Zamalek handed Petrojet their first home defeat since November, beating their close rivals 3-2 in Suez.

Hossam Hassan s side prepare to take on Gaish in another top-of-the-table clash on Thursday.