An early strike from Chadian striker Ezechiel Ndouassel was replied to by Shikabala to end the first half on level terms.

After the break, the hosts scored a quickfire double through Youssef Mouihbi and Karim Aouadhi, but substitute Ahmed Gaafar pulled one back for Zamalek.

The 3-2 scoreline seemed satisfying for the Egyptian league leaders, but defender Bilel Ifa made sure Africain go to the return leg in Cairo with a two-goal cushion.

It is the first time for Zamalek to concede four goals in one match since Hossam Hassan has taken charge in November 2009.

Early goal and Abdul-Wahed heroics

The hosts were off to a dream start when Ndouassel beat Amr Al-Safti in the air to head home a cross from Zouheir Dhaouadi after just three minutes.

The early goal disrupted Zamalek’s match-plan and Hassan’s side looked vulnerable to conceding another goal, if not for the heroics of goalkeeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed.

The Egypt guardian made a string of saves to deny Ndouassel, who had three shots on target within the opening ten minutes.

Abdul-Wahed remained solid before Africain’s assault as he made a couple more crucial saves, this time to deny Dhaouadi.

Zamalek’s defiance paid off when they got an unlikely equalizer, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Shikabala, who rifled a 25-yard freekick into the left corner of the net on 28 minutes.

The man of the first-half Abdul-Wahed came to his side’s rescue once again before the break, denying Aouadhi’s shot, only for Ndouassel to miss the target on the rebound in a shocking manner.

Two errors…another dismal start

Surprisingly, Zamalek were off to a worst start than the one they had in the first half after conceding twice inside the opening seven minutes this time.

Two minutes after the break, Mouihbi took advantage of a defense mix-up between Mohamed Abdul-Shafi and Ahmed Ghanem to tap in a loose ball from close range and restore Africain’s lead.

Four minutes later, Ghanem made another joint error, this time bringing down Mouihbi with the help of Mahmoud Fathallah inside the area, giving Aouadhi the opportunity to make it three from the spot.

Zamalek almost scored a crucial second-goal before the hour mark when Shikabala whipped in an inviting cross to the path of Hani Saied, whose volley was superbly denied by Adel Nefzi.

The Tunisians seemed content with the two-goal lead as Zamalek didn’t do much to score another vital away goal, but some late action made a little alteration to the scoreline.

The Whites snatched a 79th minute goal thanks to another wicked set piece from Shikabala, whose corner found Gaafar in the six-yard box, before the latter bundled in on the second attempt.

Six minutes later, center-half Ifa took advantage of some shambolic marking from the visitors to head home the fourth goal of the game and give Africain a relatively-comfortable lead.