Samson Akinyoola celebrates with his teammates his debut goal (Photo: Zamalek s official Facebook page)
The White Knights found it hard to carve out openings in a disappointing first half and were only revitalized when veteran schemer Mahmoud Shikabala and young forward Youssef Nabih were introduced in the second half.
Shikabala helped end the resistance of Smouha with 11 minutes remaining when his low, angled shot was turned into his own net by defender Sherif Reda.
Zamalek's Beninese striker Samson Akinyoola, who came on as a late substitute, marked his debut with a fine goal after robbing defender Ahmed Shousha in the area with the last kick of the game.
The Cairo giants, who are seeking to win the league title for a third straight season for the first time in their history, moved level on three points with Ahly, Ceramica Cleopatra and Ittihad, who all grabbed opening wins as the new season got underway.
Toothless
Zamalek, who lost central defender Mahmoud El-Wensh to injury in the first half, were largely toothless in the first half, with Smouha restricting them to a solitary chance.
The hosts, with versatile midfielder Emam Ashour starting on the bench and Senegalese winger Ibrahima Ndiaye missing through injury, lacked creativity and struggled for openings against their resolute opponents.
Their only first-half chance fell to Moroccan midfielder Zakaria El Wardi, who sent a free header over the bar after being picked out by a right-wing cross.
Smouha also had a chance to go ahead on the stroke of halftime following a goal-mouth scramble but a last-ditch defensive interception denied them.
Zamalek notably improved in the second half but were given a huge let-off when Smouha astonishingly failed to score in a miss-of-the-season contender.
A close-range shot struck defender Mohamed Abdel-Ghani and fell to Guinean forward Alia Sylla, who hit the underside of the bar from three yards out with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Smouha were punished in the 79th minute when Shikabala latched onto a deft pass on the left hand side of the area before his angled effort forced an error from Reda, who fired the ball into the roof of the net while trying to clear it.
Akinyoola ensured the win four minutes into stoppage time when he stole possession from the hesitant Shousha, turned him inside out and lashed the ball home from inside the area.
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