Zamalek fielded a team largely made up of U19 and U17 players as the Cairo giants prioritised preparations for Sunday's highly anticipated league derby against Al Ahly.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
• Ramon Vega announces bid to challenge Gianni Infantino for FIFA presidency
• Salisu Yusuf under pressure: Is Shooting Stars’ start really worse than Aweroro’s?
• Scott McTominay cleared to return for Napoli after heart procedure
• All 25 Golden Eaglets pass mandatory MRI tests ahead of WAFU-B U-17 Championship
ZED take control before half-time
ZED broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval when Marwan Daguig produced an outstanding finish to give his side a 1-0 lead.
The advantage gave ZED control of the contest heading into the break, while Zamalek's inexperienced side struggled to create a clear response.
Ahmed Atef strikes twice in two minutes
ZED effectively settled the contest early in the second half.
Ahmed Atef doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute, before completing his brace just two minutes later to put ZED 3-0 ahead.
Zamalek's young players attempted to reduce the deficit, but ZED's defence held firm to secure a comfortable victory and a clean sheet.
ZED move top of Group A
The victory gives ZED three points from their opening Group A match and puts them at the top of the section after the first round.
Group A also contains Tala'ea El Gaish, Ittihad Alexandria and Wadi Degla, with Ittihad Alexandria scheduled to face Wadi Degla in the other opening-round fixture.
Zamalek turn attention to Al Ahly derby
For Zamalek, the Capital Cup defeat is unlikely to be viewed in the same context as a full-strength competitive fixture, given the club's decision to rest senior players ahead of Sunday's Cairo derby against Al Ahly.
The White Knights therefore face a quick turnaround as they switch their attention back to the Egyptian Premier League and one of the country's biggest fixtures.
ZED, meanwhile, leave the Arab Contractors Stadium with a significant early boost after opening their Capital Cup campaign with three goals and a clean sheet.