Zizo scored in the 70th minute to cancel out Mohamed Helal’s 15th-minute opener to see two more points slip from Zamalek’s grasp.
The defending champions are third on the table with 10 points after five games, behind leaders Ahly who have 15 points and Pyramids who have 13.
Zamalek created the first threat as early as the fourth minute when Emam Ashour went clear on goal and cut onto his right foot, but his shot was blocked by keeper Mahmoud El-Zonfoly.
NBE Club sat back on defence, leaving possession to the Whites, but were dangerous on the counters especially with Issahaku Yakubu and Mohamed Helal finding spaces in the opposing half.
Helal powered a header that was saved by keeper Mohamed Awaad, but a few minutes later and from a similar play he arose unmarked in the area to meet a fine cross from Ossama Ibrahim with a glancing header at the far post, putting his team ahead after 15 minutes.
The defending champions kept on controlling the game in terms of possession, but failed to carve out spaces in NBE Club’s compact defence, as the team seemed to struggle in the absence of their inspirational forward Achraf Bencharki, who is injured.
Zamalek upped their game after the interval with substitute Mohamed Ounajem, making darting runs on the right flank.
Mostafa Fathi came close to scoring as he picked a rebound in the area, but his attempt was blocked by the post.
Specialist Zizo levelled the score with the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Moussa Diawara was penalised for a handball in the area.
A blunder from keeper NBE club keeper Mahmoud El-Zonfoly allowed Fathi to intercept the ball in the area, but his shot went inches next to the post.
Coach Patrice Carteron introduced Ayman Hefny, Abdallah Gomaa and Hazem Emam, but to no avail as Zamalek dropped precious points in this season’s title race.
