Newly-signed striker Mido made his debut as Zamalek were held to a 2-2 draw by second-division side Smouha in a friendly game on Thursday. The towering frontman, who joined from English club Middlesbrough on a season-long loan, was lively throughout but lacked accuracy in front of goal. He set up fellow striker Ahmed Gaafar for Zamalek's opener after 20 minutes. Playmaker Alaa Ali doubled the Cairo giants' advantage eight minutes later when he converted a pinpoint cross from right-back Ahmed Ghanem, who played instead of the injured Hazem Emam. A blunder by Zamalek keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef helped Smouha pull one back via a goal from former Ghazl Mahalla striker Danilho Daniel on 38 minutes. Another error from third-choice keeper Emad Al-Sayed, who replaced Abdul-Monsef in the second half, gifted Smouha the equalizer 13 minutes from time. Zamalek coach Michel Decastel introduced Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Ayew and Ivorian forward Marcel Adiko in a bid to improve their fitness levels before the team's league clash against Petrojet next week. Both players, who joined the White Knights in the close season, missed Zamalek's 3-1 victory over ENPPI in the competition's opener.
