The White Knights are eager to secure a victory when they face CR Belouizdad on Friday to keep their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals alive. However, their performance against struggling ENPPI, who are fighting to avoid relegation, was alarming.

Rafik Kabou and Ali Fawzi both found the back of the net for ENPPI, handing Zamalek their fifth league defeat of the season. With 33 points in 20 games, Zamalek currently sits at fifth place on the league table.

Kabou broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a powerful strike, while Fawzi doubled ENPPI's lead with a well-placed shot inside the box, seven minutes after the hour-mark.

Throughout the 90 minutes, Zamalek failed to create any real scoring opportunities. Their best chance came midway through the second half when Youssef Nabih's curling shot from outside the area hit the crossbar.

ENPPI, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Kabou and Karim El Tayeb both broke free on several occasions but lacked the necessary precision in the final third.

The game also saw the return of international defender Mahmoud 'El-Wensh' Hamdy, who had been absent for around five months due to a muscle injury. Hamdy made an appearance as a second-half substitute and is likely to play a role in Zamalek's game against Belouizdad on Friday.

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