Last year, Gamtel survived relegation by a scruff of the neck, but they began the current campaign in scintillating fashion with a dominant 2-0 defeat of promoted Samger.

That match was one of three games played on the opening weekend of the country’s flagship club competition. Dawda Sissoho and Lamin Chatty scored either side of the break to ensure Ebou Jarra’s men all three points.

Elsewhere, Waa Banjul played a dull goalless stalemate with Gambia Armed Forces while Brikama United and Marimoo also settled for the share of the spoils with another scoreless draw.

Marimoo twice hit the side netting in the first half and were the more aggressive team by showing all intend and purposes to get the goal. However, Brikama’s new signing Bun Sanneh pulled the strings in midfield by dictating the pace of the game with precision passes, much to the delight of the hundreds of spectators that made their way to the Late Ousman Saho field.

Another notable sight in the opening matchday is seeing elite referees in Gambia Football Federation (GFF) branded uniforms. For the first time in Gambian football history, referees would be easier to identify with their name tags and the GFF logo inscribed on their shirts.

Matches continue on Sunday with newly promoted Team Rhino taking on Gambia Ports Authority, while Hawks entertains Banjul United and Wallidan hosts Elite United.