Astonishingly, the league newcomers were the side to take the lead - going two goals ahead through Amr Mohsen and Mohamed Ramadan (penalty) in the second half.

Hodoud defender Ali Bahig, however, managed to pull one back in injury time but it was no more than a mere consolation.

In an all-Ghanaian-goal affair, Ismaili overcame promoted outfit Canal 2-1, with John Antwi's 33rd minute header cancelled out by compatriot Dodji before the former headed deep into stoppage time the winner.

In Suez, Zamalek coasted to a 2-0 win over Masri - who make their league comeback following a two-year absence - through an Ahmed Eid spot-kick and a late strike from new-signing Ahmed Ali.

Police Union star striker Khaled Kamar was another player to bag a brace on the day, steering his side to a 2-1 win over Wadi Degla.

Ethiopia frontman Saladin Said put Degla in front on 33 minutes before Kamar scored two goals either side of the interval.

The only match that ended in a draw was ENPPI's 1-1 stalemate with Arab Contractors, with Egypt international Saleh Gomaa bringing the petroleum side level following Mohamed Salem's 11th minute opener.