Shikabala (R) scored a brilliant opener against Chad s Elect-Sport in the first leg of the African Champions League first preliminary round (Photo: Zamalek s official Facebook page)
Two second-half goals from veteran winger Mahmoud Shikabala and Ahmed Zizo gave Zamalek a comfortable first-leg advantage in the first preliminary round of Africa's premier club competition.
The Cairo giants should easily get the job done when they host their lowly opponents at Cairo's International Stadium in the second leg next week.
Zamalek had territorial dominance in the first half but goal-scoring chances were at a premium.
They went ahead seven minutes after the break via a brilliant strike from schemer Shikabala.
Wing-back Sayed Abdallah weaved his way down the right and whipped in a cross that eluded a defender and found Shikabala, who neatly controlled it before blasting an unstoppable half-volley into the top far corner from a narrow angle.
Zizo, Zamalek's standout performer in their triumphant Egyptian Premier League campaign last season, made it 2-0 in the 58th minute when he lashed a loose ball into the top corner from inside the area.
He missed the chance to widen the gap though when he missed a penalty with 14 minutes remaining.
Zamalek have won the last of their five Champions League titles in 2002. Since then, they have reached the final twice, only to lose to South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns and Cairo rivals Ahly in 2016 and 2020 respectively.
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