Smouha, who inflicted a 2-0 loss on Zamalek in the reverse league fixture, barely put up a fight as the White Knights took a firm grip on the game from the outset.

Zizo, the league's top scorer with 13 goals, opened the scoring in the first half following a superb individual effort before Tunisian forward Jaziri made sure of the win with a similar solo effort early in the second period.

Smouha's hopes to get something from the game were also dealt a blow when Moroccan winger Abdelkabir El Ouadi received a straight red card four minutes past the hour mark for stamping on the shin of an opponent.

Zamalek, fresh from beating Ahly 2-1 in the final of a delayed Egypt Cup edition, continued their steady march towards the title under the stewardship of canny Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira, who molded the team into a harmonious unit despite losing some key players at a crucial stage of the season.

Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki, one of the team's standout performers this term, compatriot Mohamed Ounajem and midfield linchpin Tarek Hamed departed after their deals ran out, with nine matches still remaining before the end of the prolonged season.

But Ferreira continued to blend experience with fresh blood as Zamalek preserved their lead on top. They have 60 points from 26 games, four ahead of Pyramids FC and nine clear of third-placed Ahly, who have two games in hand.

Smouha are fifth on 39 points, three behind fourth-placed and top-flight debutants Future FC.

All-round display

Zizo shone with an all-round display as Zamalek found no difficulty breaching Smouha's defence.

He rattled the bar with a brilliant curling free-kick on 18 minutes, with his effort rebounding off the back of the keeper's hands and onto the woodwork again.

Zizo made amends to open the scoring in style after 34 minutes. Collecting a pass from Jaziri, he dribbled past Ahmed Hakam to jink into the area and rifle a powerful shot into the net.

Jaziri killed off Smouha's hopes three minutes into the second half after running half of the length of the pitch following a long ball. He skipped past Ragab Nabil and broke clear before thundering home with aplomb.

Zamalek then took their foot off the gas pedal and El Ouadi's red card made things easier in the latter stages.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)