Helmi was impressed by the Whites' display, despite the absence of several key players including Amr Zaki, Tarek Al-Sayed and Gamal Hamza.

"The team played an excellent game, the win was fully deserved and I think the score line could have been more comprehensive," he told Zamalek's official site.

"We missed some important men, but the players dealt well with that."

Goals from Shikabala and Mohamed Aboul-Ella helped Ruud Krol's team jump to second place at the expense of Al-Gaish.

Emam Comeback

Skipper Hazem Emam was introduced as a second-half substitute, and Helmi is adamant that the talented playmaker will regain his form and re-establish his place in the team.

"I am sure that Hazem can get back to his best with games to come," Helmi added.

"He is a player with vast experience and he just needs more games to become the player he was once."

The Egypt international has been struggling with form and fitness over the past three seasons, to the extent that he threatened to quit football earlier this season.