The visitors took a surprise lead through midfielder Mohamed Farouk on 42 minutes before right-back Ahmed Samir equalized on the hour mark.

Egypt left-back Mohamed Abdul-Shafi hit a 69th minute winner to earn Zamalek all three points.

It is Zamalek’s second comeback this season and their fifth win on the trot as they lead Group B with 15 points.

Zamalek miss…Contractors score

A dour first half saw both sides fail to create clear-cut chances until the 37th minute when Sabri Rahil's superb effort was palmed by the keeper before hitting the bar.

A minute later, striker Ahmed Gaafar saw a double effort thwarted by the keeper and the post in agonizing fashion as Omar Gaber blasted high on the rebound.

Despite dictating play for most of the half, the Whites were to lament their wasted chances when Farouk hit a low drive from range to give Contractors the lead three minutes from the interval against the run of play.

Zamalek needed 12 minutes into the second half to threaten Contractors' goal as a dangerous close-range header from Samir forced a brilliant save from keeper Mohamed Al-Akabawi, who was there to deny another strike from Gaafar.

But Al-Akabawi was finally beaten through full-back Samir who restored parity with a scruffy strike inside the six yard box following a fine layoff from defender Mahmoud Fathallah.

The winner came from another full-back as Abdul-Shafi headed home substitute Hazem Emam's cross from the right to put the Whites ahead nine minutes later.

Even though they were able to claim the lead after being one goal down, the woodwork still managed to frustrate Jorvan Vieira's men, denying midfielder Nour Al-Sayed's left-footed strike this time.

Zamalek were lucky to survive a late scare when Mohamed Al-Desouki broke clear before seeing his shot narrowly flow wide of the post, thanks to keeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed's timely interception.