Photo: Zamalek official facebook page
The victory moved the five-time CAF Champions League winners to second in Group D on goal difference behind Masry, who earlier beat South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs 2-1.
Seifeddine Jaziri scored the winner two minutes before halftime, controlling a long pass in the box before sending a curling ball at the far post.
Zamalek dominated from the outset as Nasser Maher forced an early save from goalkeeper Tresford Sakauta with a close-range header five minutes in.
Ahmed Fatouh and Juan Bezerra also squandered clear chances as the hosts kept ZESCO pinned back.
The hosts were finally rewarded with Jaziri's finish after being fed by Maher.
ZESCO threatened briefly after the interval when forward David Simukonda whipped a free kick just wide of the left post.
Peter Musukoma then went close to an equaliser in the 79th minute with a powerful effort from distance that flashed past the right upright.
Zamalek coach Ahmed Abdelraouf introduced Abdallah El-Said, Mahmoud Gehad and Oday Dabbagh to stabilise the midfield before later adding Adam Kaied and substitute Chico Banza to reinvigorate the attack.
Banza nearly doubled the lead late on, slipping past his marker only to see his low strike roll agonisingly along the goal line.
Zamalek travel to South Africa to face Kaizer Chiefs on 30 November before meeting Masry at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium on 25 January.
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