Playmaker Shikabala scored his second goal in as many league games to hand Zamalek the lead in the first minute but Al-Sayed Hamdi pulled one back 12 minutes after the restart

Mido, who joined from Middlesbrough on a season-long loan, came on as a second-half substitute to partner Amr Zaki upfront and play his first league game.

He had a chance to make it a night to remember but his poor spot kick missed the target.

Zamalek even failed to share honors with Petrojet when substitute Walid Soliman headed home one minute from time after some slack marking.

Petrojet became the second team to get maximum points from the opening two games after holders Ahli, who defeated Police Union 2-1 on Wednesday.

A new-look Zamalek side, who put in an impressive display to beat ENPPI 3-1 in their first match as they seek to win their first league title since 2004, have three points from two games.

Wasted Penalty

Shikabala needed 33 seconds to fire the hosts in front to send the home fans into ecstasy.

Zaki's weak shot rebounded off keeper Ahmed Fawzi's forehead and fell to the in-form playmaker, who notched into an empty net.

Petrojet had the better chances afterwards as Zamalek lacked composure in the final third, with Zaki failing to combine with his strike partner Ahmed Gaafar.

The Cairo giants had to thank goalkeeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef for keeping their lead intact in the first half.

The stand-in guardian, who played instead of the injured Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, blocked a goal-bound shot from Hamdi and dived to save a long-range effort from Eric Bekoe.

However, he couldn't prevent Hamdi, who scored twice in Petrojet's 3-1 victory over Ittihad in their league opener, from grabbing the equalizer in the 57th minute.

The Egypt striker, with his back to goal, turned his marker Mahmoud Fathallah and hit a low shot into the bottom corner.

Zamalek coach Michel Decastel introduced Mido instead of the ineffective Gaafar on 63 minutes.

The towering striker had a chance to make a dream debut when his close-range shot struck Karim Zekri's arm as Zamalek were awarded a penalty.

He stepped up but sent his low shot wide of the post before shaking his head in disbelief.

Zamalek paid for the wasted penalty when Soliman rose unmarked to head home a corner at the near post.