Zizo took his tally for the season to 19 goals and 12 assists, having also set up Seifeddine Jaziri for two goals as the Tunisian striker continued his rich vein of form to send Maqassa to the second division.

Both men combined to devastating effect as Zamalek enjoyed a walk in the park at Cairo Stadium, with canny Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira watching on from the stands due to a one-game touchline ban.

Zamalek, who claimed their ninth successive win, top the table with 72 points, seven ahead of second-placed Pyramids with only four rounds remaining. Ahly, who played two games less than both teams, are third on 59 points.

The White Knights will be crowned champions for the second consecutive season if they win their next two games against Pharco and Ittihad of Alexandria.

Maqassa are relegated to the second division for the first time since sealing promotion in 2010 as they lie at the bottom with 15 points, 13 adrift of safety with four matches to go.

Zamalek laid siege to Maqassa's area from the very beginning and it took them 25 minutes to open the scoring, Jaziri outjumping his marker to head home a trademark inviting cross from Zizo.

Veteran schemer Mahmoud Shikabala saw his chip go just wide following a neatly-worked counter attack but Zizo made amends just before halftime, firing a low shot past the unsighted keeper from the edge of the area.

Zizo then laid a pass on a plate for Jaziri to send a delicate chip over a defender and into the net after a threaded ball from Shikabala had sliced open the defence two minutes into the second half.

Jaziri returned the favour on 58 minutes, with Zizo connecting with his pinpoint low cross to powerfully rifle home from close range following another three-man move that also involved Shikabala.

Zizo completed the rout 10 minutes later when he sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot after a Maqassa defender was adjudged to have blocked a shot with his arm as Zamalek continued their relentless march towards the title. 

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